NEW respiratory virus vaccine recommendations align physician groups on protection against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.
Four leading U.S. physician organizations have issued recommendations for the 2026–2027 respiratory virus season, covering patients from infancy through older adulthood, as well as pregnant and immunocompromised populations.
The guidance followed structured reviews of vaccine safety, effectiveness, and epidemiology. Researchers examined 69 influenza studies, 155 COVID-19 studies, and 75 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) studies published between August 2025 and June 2026. More than a dozen randomized controlled trials were included for each pathogen.
The recommendations arrive as respiratory viruses continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. During the 2025–2026 season, influenza was associated with at least 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths. RSV caused an estimated 170,000 to 340,000 hospitalizations, while COVID-19 was linked to between 140,000 and 250,000 hospitalizations.
Influenza vaccination reduced hospitalization risk by 31% among adults aged 65 years or older. Vaccination during pregnancy reduced symptomatic influenza among infants younger than 6 months by 44%, while pediatric influenza vaccination was associated with an 80% reduction in deaths across eight seasons.
COVID-19 vaccination reduced hospitalization risk by 53% among adults aged 65 years or older. Among people with immunocompromising conditions, vaccination lowered the risk of intensive care admission or death by 32% to 53%. Vaccination during pregnancy also reduced emergency department or urgent care visits by 58%.
RSV vaccines were 69% to 83% effective against hospitalization among adults aged 60 years or older. Maternal RSV vaccination reduced RSV risk by 82%, while infant immunization with nirsevimab lowered hospitalization risk by 64% to 93%. No new safety concerns were identified across the three evidence reviews.
The guidance supports annual influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months or older. COVID-19 vaccination recommendations vary by age and clinical status, with particular emphasis on older adults, young children, pregnant patients, healthcare personnel, and people with compromised immune systems.
RSV vaccination is recommended for adults aged 50 to 74 years with high risk conditions and all adults aged 75 years or older. Preventive options for infants include maternal RSV vaccination or nirsevimab, depending on eligibility and maternal vaccination history.
For clinicians, the recommendations provide an evidence based framework for vaccine counseling and shared decision making ahead of the respiratory virus season.
Reference
O’Reilly KB. Doctors united on respiratory virus vaccine recommendations. 2 September 2026. Available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/doctors-united-respiratory-virus-vaccine-recommendations. Last accessed: September 4, 2026.
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