The Claim in Context
Current federal government officials are promoting misleading information to minimize the severity of seasonal influenza (flu) for children. They are also spreading the false claim that there is no evidence indicating the flu vaccine prevents serious illness, hospitalizations or death in children. Misconstruing research, federal officials incorrectly concluded it “may be better” if fewer children receive a flu shot, and the federal vaccine schedule no longer advises routine immunization against flu for children.
In reality, flu season is always serious: Tens of thousands of children end up in the hospital sick with flu every year. The 2024-2025 season was one of the worst on record, with more than 280 flu-related deaths in children, and the 2025-2026 season reached the high severity classification for children. Decades of real-world evidence show that seasonal flu vaccines decrease the risk of illness, hospitalization and death in children.
Key Facts
- Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Seasonal flu epidemics occur every year in the United States between October and May, with infections usually the most widespread between December and February.
- Flu spreads easily between people: If someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus gets into the air, and people nearby can inhale the virus through the nose or mouth. People can also become infected if they touch a surface that has the flu virus and then put their hands or fingers in their nose or mouth, or rub their eyes.
- For children, flu can cause high fevers, chills, body aches, tiredness, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea. It can lead to serious symptoms like dehydration and pneumonia that can require hospitalization, especially in children under age 5. Inflammation of the brain is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of flu.
- Antiviral medicines are available to help treat the flu. Pediatricians and other clinicians can help parents decide whether their child should receive an antiviral. These medicines work best if started within the first one to two days of symptoms.
- Even during a mild season, flu causes significant illness and death in communities across the country. Millions of children in the U.S. visit the doctor every year with flu-like illness.
- Numerous studies show that seasonal flu vaccines prevent illness and hospitalization in children. A study published Jan. 9, 2026, in the journal Pediatrics shows that influenza vaccination reduces the risk of influenza-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in both children with and without underlying conditions.
- Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention routinely show that flu vaccines prevent flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths across age groups, including children.
Evidence Snapshot
Every year, researchers study real-world data to evaluate the effectiveness of flu vaccines. The data consistently show that flu vaccines help prevent serious illness, including in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to recommend that all children age 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine.
Why It Matters
Parents and caregivers deserve clear and accurate guidance on how to keep their children healthy and thriving. However, government officials are misleading the public to spur doubt about the benefits of vaccines. Skipping flu vaccines can lead to children missing school, parents missing work and can cause devastating consequences for children’s health.
Experts Say:
“I can’t predict which patients will come down with a bad case of flu. That’s why I tell parents it’s risky to skip the flu vaccine. If children have not yet received a flu vaccine this year, it’s not too late. If parents have questions, I always encourage them to talk with their child’s pediatrician.”
— Dr. Kris Bryant, a member of AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases.
Resources for Further Information
Last Updated
01/22/2026
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics