Leading U.S. medical organizations released new vaccination guidelines on Wednesday for the upcoming respiratory virus season, stepping in to provide direction as federal health officials remain largely silent on updated recommendations.
Major Medical Groups Issue Fall Vaccine Guidelines Amid Federal Guidance Gap
The coordinated guidance covers immunizations for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. The effort is led by the American Medical Association, along with the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Whatever happens to the federal vaccine policy process, we cannot lower that scientific standard,
said Dr. Bruce Gellin of the Vaccine Integrity Project, an independent initiative based at the University of Minnesota.
Filling a Federal Vacuum
Traditionally, vaccine advice comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its independent advisory panel. However, the Trump administration has pulled back on longstanding recommendations for fall virus protection and routine childhood vaccinations.
There’s been a lot of confusion and chaos regarding vaccine recommendations,
said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association. The public has clear, consistent, science-based guidance even while the federal process is in flux.
The CDC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on new fall guidance, though the agency suggested on its website that doctors follow last year’s flu recommendations. Meanwhile, the CDC’s advisory panel has been caught in a court battle after major medical groups filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services over narrowing immunization lists.
Targeted Recommendations and New Options
The medical groups recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone starting at age 6 months, while pointing older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic health problems toward prompt protection.
For COVID-19, the medical societies recommend the shots more broadly than current federal advice, urging routine vaccination for healthy younger adults, young children, and pregnant people.
Patients and doctors also face new choices for the season:
- Enhanced Flu Shots: Three enhanced options are designed to better protect seniors. Dr. Sarah Nosal of the American Academy of Family Physicians advised seniors to choose one of these options, noting,
do not delay your vaccination if that one’s not available.
- mRNA Flu Vaccine: The FDA approved a new flu vaccine option for people ages 50 and older made with the same mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines. One study found Moderna’s mFlusiva was 27 percent more effective against symptomatic illness among 50- to 64-year-olds than a standard shot.
- Nasal Spray: The FluMist nasal spray is available for eligible individuals ages 2 to 49.
Evidence and Safety Data
To counter growing public skepticism and a crisis of confidence in medical institutions, the consortium released summaries of research into shot safety and efficacy in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Independent analyses highlighted that the newest versions of the vaccines remain safe and effective against severe complications. According to the research reviews:
Immunization continues to be one of our best tools for preventing severe illness from respiratory viruses,
said Michael T. Osterholm, executive director of the Vaccine Integrity Project.
