The influenza vaccine for the 2025-2026 flu season is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. This vaccine provides protection from influenza for the individuals receiving the vaccine, as well as for the broader community around them. Kids often play a large role in the transmission of the flu virus in a household and community, therefore it is important for them to have protection from the vaccine to help reduce the spread of the virus. Young children, under the age of 5 years old, and children with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of complications and hospitalization due to influenza; for this reason it is especially important for these high risk children and their families to receive a flu vaccine every year. This season’s influenza vaccine is trivalent (covering three specific strains of influenza) with an updated influenza A (H3N2) component, as well as components covering influenza A (H1N1) and B (Victoria lineage). 

If a child is receiving a flu vaccine for the first time and is younger than 9 years old, it is recommended for them to receive 2 doses of this season’s flu vaccine at least 4 weeks apart. Ideally, the vaccine should be received by the end of October for the best protection throughout the season. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people to receive any licensed vaccine available, but immunocompromised people should avoid the live attenuated version. Our office will be offering the standard trivalent inactivated flu shot to our patients and their families starting October 1st. We will be hosting flu vaccine clinics on 10/2, 10/11, 10/13, and 10/21; please call to reserve your spot! If these dates do not fit your schedule you may call to request an appointment with our nursing staff. Stay healthy & safe this flu season!

American Academy of Pediatrics. (September 22, 2025). Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025-2026: Policy Statement. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2025-073620/202845/Recommendations-for-Prevention-and-Control-of?autologincheck=redirected