As the respiratory virus season approaches, healthcare providers across the United States are preparing to offer updated vaccines targeting Covid-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (R.S.V.). This year, leading medical organizations have stepped in to issue their own vaccine recommendations amid limited federal guidance.

A consortium that includes the American Medical Association and specialty groups in pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics, and infectious diseases released guidance based on evidence published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The coalition cited a notable absence of comprehensive federal recommendations this season, a void linked to ongoing legal and administrative challenges within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Typically, the CDC provides updated vaccine guidelines for both Covid-19 and seasonal influenza, but this year the agency deferred revising its flu recommendations and has not formally updated Covid vaccination guidance. The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee is currently in a state of uncertainty, and the HHS has not offered a clear timeline for forthcoming guidance.

In response, the consortium advised that all adults receive an updated Covid-19 vaccine, including pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. A follow-up dose six months later is recommended for adults aged 65 and older, with potential benefits for immunocompromised individuals as well. For children, the groups recommend vaccination for those 6 to 23 months old, as well as children aged 2 and above who have underlying health conditions. While updated shots are not explicitly recommended for all children over 2, specialists note vaccination may be appropriate based on parental preference. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the new Covid vaccines only for high-risk individuals and those 65 and older, clinicians may administer them more broadly. Availability in pharmacies varies by state, with pediatric offices serving as alternative vaccination sites for children where pharmacy access is restricted.

The organizations highlighted new research showing that updated Covid vaccines continue to reduce hospitalizations and severe outcomes, especially among vulnerable populations. The CDC estimates that from October 2025 through August 2026, Covid-19 may result in as many as 250,000 hospitalizations and 44,000 deaths in the U.S. Serious adverse effects from the vaccines remain rare.

Regarding influenza, the consortium recommends vaccination for everyone aged six months and older by the end of October, emphasizing the importance of early protection. Multiple flu vaccine options are available, including traditional injections, a new mRNA flu vaccine for individuals over 50, and a nasal spray suitable for most persons aged 2 to 49, except pregnant or immunocompromised individuals. For seniors 65 and older, high-dose flu shots or the mRNA variant are advised to enhance immune response, though receiving any available vaccine early in the season remains a priority. Vaccination significantly lowers the risk of severe flu, hospitalization, and death, despite variability in vaccine effectiveness from year to year. Influenza remains a major health concern annually, causing over 36,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of hospital admissions in the United States.

For respiratory syncytial virus, the groups recommend a one-time vaccination for adults aged 75 and older and for those 50 to 74 with increased risk factors. Immunocompromised individuals and adolescents may also be vaccinated on a case-by-case basis. Pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks gestation are advised to receive the vaccine during the R.S.V. season (September through March) to confer protection to their newborns. Infants younger than eight months—especially if their mothers were not vaccinated during pregnancy—should receive monoclonal antibodies to help prevent severe illness. Children at elevated risk between 8 and 19 months should be vaccinated for a second season regardless of prior immunization. R.S.V. has historically been the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S., affecting 2 to 3 percent of infants under three months old annually. Other high-risk groups include seniors, individuals with chronic diseases, and nursing home residents. Immunization has been shown to reduce severe disease and hospital admissions.

With respiratory illnesses expected to surge this fall and winter, experts emphasize the importance of timely vaccination to curb severe illness and protect vulnerable populations.