US medical societies issue unified flu and Covid-19 vaccine guidance amid shifting federal advice
Major American medical groups released coordinated recommendations for fall flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, aiming to provide clear, science-based guidance as federal recommendations remain unsettled.
Leading U.S. medical organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Infectious Diseases Society of America—published joint guidance urging the public to receive updated flu and Covid-19 vaccines this fall. The recommendations come as the Food and Drug Administration recently approved the season’s revised Covid-19 shots and a new mRNA-based flu vaccine for adults 50 and older.
The groups said the guidance is intended to reduce uncertainty after the previous administration altered longstanding vaccine recommendations without new scientific evidence. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association noted that “there’s been a lot of confusion and chaos regarding vaccine recommendations.” The AMA is hosting the combined guidelines and supporting data on SpreadTheFacts.org to ensure consistent, evidence-based information.
All individuals six months of age and older are advised to receive a flu shot, with particular emphasis on seniors, pregnant people, young children and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Enhanced flu vaccines designed for older adults are recommended, though any approved flu vaccine is acceptable if the preferred product is unavailable. A nasal spray version, FluMist, remains an option for eligible people aged two to 49.
For Covid-19, the societies recommend vaccination for all adults, especially those 65 and older, with a fall dose followed by a booster six months later. Children six months to 23 months should be vaccinated, and older children with high-risk conditions are also advised to receive the shot. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists highlighted that studies have found no increased risk of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications from Covid-19 vaccination.
Both flu and Covid-19 vaccines are reported to be most effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization, while side effects are generally mild and short-lived. The new mRNA flu vaccine, Moderna’s mFlusiva, showed a modest increase in effectiveness for adults 50-64 compared with standard flu shots. Vaccines are widely available through pharmacies and many pediatric clinics.