A CDC study published this month in Pediatrics — the flagship journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics — found that flu vaccines reduce children's and teenagers' risk of dying from influenza by 80 percent. That's a significant number, and it comes just as Colorado Springs families are returning to school and heading into the months when flu season begins to build.

There's also an important update for parents of young children this year: injectable flu vaccines for the 2026–27 season carry new prescribing information related to febrile seizure risk in children under five. Here's what all of that means, and what Colorado Springs parents should do with it.

The New 2026–27 Update for Young Children

Here is the nuance parents of children under five should know: the injectable flu vaccines for the 2026–27 season have updated prescribing information regarding a slightly increased risk of febrile seizures in children under five years old. This information comes from postmarketing observational studies conducted during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 flu seasons.

Febrile seizures are seizures triggered by high fever. They look frightening and are understandably scary for parents, but they are generally not harmful in the short term and do not typically cause lasting neurological effects. They are relatively common in young children — especially those under five — and are most often triggered by any rapid rise in body temperature, including from vaccination.

The AAP's position is that the benefits of flu vaccination still outweigh this risk for the vast majority of children. However, the updated prescribing information is meant to give pediatricians and parents accurate data so they can have an informed conversation about which form of the vaccine is most appropriate for a specific child.

For children two years and older who are otherwise healthy, the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) is an option that does not carry the same febrile seizure concern as the injectable form. Your child's pediatrician can help you understand which option is the right fit.

What AAP Guidance Says

In August 2026, the AAP released updated flu guidance that includes detailed recommendations for immunocompromised children — a population for whom flu can be particularly dangerous. If your child has an underlying condition that affects their immune system, talking to their specialist as well as their pediatrician before flu season is worth doing.

For healthy children with no underlying conditions, the annual flu shot remains straightforward: get it, get it before flu season peaks, and do it every year because flu strains change.

When and Where to Get Flu Shots in Colorado Springs

Flu vaccines for the 2026–27 season typically become available in late September and early October. Getting vaccinated by the end of October is the general target — it gives your child's immune system time to build protection before flu activity increases, which in Colorado typically happens from December through February.

In Colorado Springs, flu shots for children are available through pediatric clinics at UCHealth and Centura Health locations, as well as through many family practice offices. CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens also offer flu shots at their pharmacy clinics, including for children of appropriate ages. Some Colorado Springs urgent care centers offer flu vaccination as well. Your child's regular pediatrician is the best first call — they'll have the updated 2026–27 vaccine and can discuss the febrile seizure update in the context of your child's specific health history.

What's Next

Talk to your child's pediatrician in September — before flu shots are fully available — to ask about the right vaccine option for your child this year, especially if your child is under five or has underlying health conditions. COS Parenting will share flu vaccine availability updates for Colorado Springs as the fall season approaches. For the full CDC study and AAP flu guidance, visit publications.aap.org or healthy children.org.