If you are still wondering whether it is too late to roll up your sleeve, the short answer from doctors is no. The 2026-2027 flu, COVID and RSV vaccine recommendations released this fall by the American Medical Association and several specialty groups apply all season long, and respiratory virus activity typically builds through the winter months.
What is different this year is who is issuing the advice. Here is what the medical groups recommend, where they go further than federal guidance, and how to sort out which shots make sense for you and your family.
Why the Source of the Recommendations Changed
According to a Scripps News report published Sept. 2, the AMA and several specialty groups, including family physicians, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists and OBGYNs, put out their own respiratory vaccine recommendations for 2026-2027. The groups are stepping in as federal health agencies face credibility concerns, the report says.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Scripps News: “The single biggest change is that the recommendations are not now coming from the federal government.” He also said “vaccines have now become a political symbol,” and pointed people to a trusted source: “Primary care doctors, people trust their primary care doctors.”
Flu Vaccine 2026-2027: What the Groups Recommend
On influenza, the medical groups are aligned: a flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Timing matters, but not as much as getting one at all. Adalja told Scripps News that getting vaccinated in mid-to-late October “is going to give you more durability and protection,” but that a September shot still beats skipping it. He also noted that vaccination helps even if you do get infected: “Flu vaccine gets you through the season in a much better form than if you didn’t get the vaccine.”
The ideal window he described, before Halloween, has now passed, which is not a reason to skip. If you have not had your shot, ask your clinician or pharmacist about getting it now. Our earlier explainer on the CDC’s 2026-2027 flu shot guidance has more background.
COVID Vaccine: Where Medical Groups Go Further
The COVID guidance is where the differences show up. Scripps News describes the CDC as recommending that parents of children under 18 consult their doctor. The specialty groups are more specific:
- Children 6 to 23 months: COVID vaccination is recommended.
- Children and teens 2 to 18: Vaccination is recommended if the child is at high risk of severe COVID.
The report does not detail adult or pregnancy-specific COVID guidance, so adults should ask their own doctor what applies to their age and health. The AMA has also posted a respiratory virus immunization recommendations document that lays out each recommendation in full.
RSV: Who Is Targeted and When the Season Runs
RSV recommendations vary by specialty, but across groups, RSV vaccines are primarily recommended for newborns, pregnant women and adults 75 and older. OBGYN groups focus on pregnant women, and they note that the RSV season now runs September through March, longer than the previous September-to-January window.
That longer season matters for planning. If you are pregnant or caring for a newborn, ask your obstetrician or pediatrician early about how protection is delivered and when.
A Simple Checklist for Your Family
| Vaccine | Who the groups highlight | Action this week |
|---|---|---|
| Flu | Everyone 6 months and older | Book a shot if you have not had one |
| COVID | Children 6 to 23 months; high-risk children 2 to 18 | Ask your pediatrician about your child’s risk |
| RSV | Newborns, pregnant women, adults 75 and older | Ask your doctor if you or your baby qualify |
How to Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist
- Bring your health history. Chronic conditions, pregnancy and past reactions can all change the advice.
- Ask which guidance your clinic follows. With several sources of recommendations now, it helps to know the basis for the advice.
- Check insurance coverage. Coverage can vary by plan and by the recommendation a plan follows, so confirm before you go.
- Ask about timing. Some vaccines can be given at the same visit; your clinician can tell you which.
The Bottom Line
The 2026-2027 respiratory season comes with a new reality: major medical societies are publishing their own recommendations, and they broadly encourage flu shots for nearly everyone, targeted COVID shots for young children and high-risk kids, and RSV protection for the youngest and oldest. The best next step is a short conversation with a clinician you trust. If your family has not been vaccinated yet, early November is still a good time to start.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. It summarizes a Sept. 2, 2026 news report and may not reflect later changes. Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you.
