A coalition of major medical organizations has stepped in to fill a growing void in vaccine guidance, releasing its own recommendations for the 2026-27 respiratory virus season. The independent effort, led by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP), is based on a fresh review of clinical evidence and aims to give the public a reliable reference point as federal recommendations continue to shift.
The groups' findings, published on the website SpreadTheFacts.org, conclude that immunizations still offer meaningful protection against hospitalization, severe illness, and death—though the level of protection varies by virus, vaccine product, population, and circulating strains. They also reported no new safety concerns in comparative studies of currently recommended vaccines, reinforcing the established safety profiles of influenza and COVID-19 shots, as well as the growing body of safety data for RSV immunizations.
Recommendations by Age Group
For children, the AMA advises that all kids six months and older receive the annual flu vaccine. The COVID-19 shot is recommended for all children aged six months to 23 months, while children aged two to 18 years should get it if they fall into certain high-risk categories or choose to do so. For RSV, the AMA recommends that all infants eight months and younger receive the shot if they did not get maternal protection before birth, and that children between eight and 19 months receive it if they are at increased risk.
Adults are generally urged to get both the annual COVID-19 and flu vaccines. For RSV, the AMA recommends a single dose for adults aged 50 to 74 who have an elevated risk of severe RSV disease.
“The American public deserves clear, credible information – based on the best available scientific evidence – when making decisions about vaccination,” said Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, president-elect of the AMA, in a statement. “The latest evidence reviews and recommendations are the result of our shared commitment across clinical medicine, science and public health to ensure vaccine recommendations are grounded in sound evidence and developed through a transparent process.”
Federal Turmoil Spurs Independent Action
The move comes as the second Trump administration has repeatedly altered federal vaccine schedules and recommendations, creating confusion among patients and providers. The AMA, along with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, has stepped forward with its own guidance for families. This independent action mirrors broader concerns about the politicization of public health, as seen in recent debates over vaccine policy and state-level moves to drop vaccine mandates.
The VIP and AMA stress that their recommendations are not a replacement for official guidance but rather a complementary resource for clinicians and the public. They emphasize that the decisions are based solely on scientific evidence, not political considerations, and they urge families to consult with their healthcare providers to make individualized choices.
As the federal landscape remains in flux, the medical community's proactive stance may become a new norm. With updated COVID shots for high-risk groups and ongoing surges in infections, clear and trustworthy guidance is more critical than ever.
