Medical Groups Urge Annual COVID, Flu and RSV Shots as Trump Sows Vaccine Confusion
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 2
Medical Groups Urge Annual COVID, Flu and RSV Shots as Trump Sows Vaccine Confusion
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 2
Summary
AAP, AAFP, ACOG and IDSA issued joint vaccine guidance recommending yearly flu shots for everyone 6 months and older, annual COVID shots for most adults and young children, and targeted RSV protection for pregnancy, infants and older adults.
Nearly 300 peer-reviewed studies reviewed by the Vaccine Integrity Project and AMA underpinned the recommendations, which were published in JAMA to provide an independent alternative to shifting federal advice.
The groups’ COVID guidance is broader than current CDC language, which now frames 2025-26 shots for people 6 months and older as shared clinical decision-making after the administration narrowed routine recommendations in 2025.
Evidence cited in the review found updated COVID vaccines cut hospitalization about 50% in adults 18-64 and 53% in those 65+, while flu shots reduced hospitalizations 31% in seniors and RSV measures cut infant or older-adult hospitalizations by 51% to 93%.
The recommendations arrive after Trump and HHS moved to limit or remove some universal vaccine guidance, changes a federal judge partly blocked in March and the department said it would appeal.