The AAP Says Get Your Kid the Flu Shot. Only Half of Them Have One.

The American Academy of Pediatrics' guidance for the 2026-27 flu season is consistent with where it's been for years: annual influenza vaccination is recommended for every child six months of age and older. That's not new. What is worth noting is where things actually stand: nationally, only 49.4% of children have received a flu vaccine so far this season. That means roughly half the kids in Colorado Springs schools are heading into peak flu season unprotected.

Colorado has already recorded its first pediatric flu death of the 2026-27 season. The child was elementary school-aged and unvaccinated, and the death was confirmed on November 3. That's not a distant statistic — it's the state we live in, and it happened this week.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

The AAP's 2026-27 guidance covers everyone six months of age and older. For children who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time, two doses are required, given at least four weeks apart — which is an additional reason to act sooner rather than later. Children who've been vaccinated in prior seasons need only one dose.

The AAP also recommends antiviral treatment — such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) — for hospitalized children and those at high risk of severe illness. If a vaccinated child develops flu symptoms, early antiviral treatment can significantly reduce severity. Talk to your pediatrician if your child is in a high-risk group, including those with asthma, diabetes, or other chronic health conditions.

Where to Get the Flu Shot in COS This Weekend

Flu shots are available without an appointment at most of the following locations in Colorado Springs:

• Walgreens — multiple locations; walk-in available
• King Soopers — pharmacy locations citywide
• Safeway — pharmacy locations citywide
• Pediatric clinics — most accept walk-ins or same-week appointments for flu vaccines

Saturday and Sunday are actually practical days for this if you're a working parent — you don't have to miss work or pull kids out of school. Most pharmacy locations have weekend hours for vaccines. Call ahead to confirm availability for your child's age group, as supply and staffing vary.

Insurance covers the flu vaccine for children under most plans, including Medicaid and CHIP. If you're unsure about coverage, ask the pharmacy when you call — most will verify benefits quickly. The flu vaccine is also available at no cost through many community health programs for families who are uninsured or underinsured.

What's Next

The CDC's weekly flu surveillance reports begin tracking elevated activity when cases rise above baseline — typically in late November and December. Those reports are publicly available at cdc.gov/flu and are worth bookmarking as flu season picks up.

Colorado's own flu surveillance is managed through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which publishes weekly updates at cdphe.colorado.gov. The state's standard protocol requires children to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school after a flu illness — no fever reducers masking symptoms. That protocol applies across D11, D20, and D49 schools.

The practical bottom line: this Saturday is a reasonable time to get it done. It takes 15 minutes, it's available without an appointment at most pharmacies, and peak season is a few weeks away. The 50% who've already gotten vaccinated made the right call. The other half still can.