Medical societies issue flu vaccine guidance as CDC advisory panel faces court dispute
With the CDC's flu advisory panel tied up in litigation, several professional medical groups have released vaccination recommendations for the upcoming season, emphasizing protection for high-risk populations.
Doctors' organizations are stepping in to provide flu-vaccination guidance after the CDC’s advisory panel, which normally shapes national recommendations, became embroiled in a court case and has not issued updated advice for the season. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have each posted guidelines and supporting scientific evidence for their respective patient groups.
All individuals from six months of age onward are advised to receive the flu shot, with particular emphasis on people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and anyone with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or compromised immunity. Data from the Vaccine Integrity Project indicate that vaccination reduced hospitalizations among older adults by 31% in the previous year.
"Vaccination isn’t a guarantee that we’ll prevent illness, but like a seatbelt it reduces the risk of the most serious outcomes," said Dr. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
The societies note that while the vaccine does not eliminate all flu infections, it lowers the likelihood of severe disease and related complications.