The AAP recommends that all children ages 6 months and older, including children and adolescents, receive the influenza vaccine during the 2022–2023 season as vaccines remain the best way to prevent severe illness.
AAP’s flu vaccine recommendations:
- Children 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually. AAP has no preference for a specific type of flu vaccine, depending on the child’s age and health. Practices can use either flu shots or nasal spray flu vaccines for their patients.
- Any licensed influenza vaccine appropriate by age and health status can be used.
- Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that high-risk and medically vulnerable children and their household contacts and caregivers receive annual influenza vaccine.
- Increased efforts are needed to eliminate barriers to immunization in all persons experiencing higher rates of adverse outcomes from influenza.
- Children who are eligible for both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine can receive them at the same visit.
- Children 6 months through 8 years who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time or who received only one dose prior to July 1, 2022, or whose vaccination status is unknown should receive two doses of influenza vaccine at least four weeks apart. All other children should receive one dose this season.
- Pregnant women may receive the vaccine at any time during pregnancy to protect themselves and their infants. Influenza vaccination during breastfeeding is safe for mothers and their infants.
More Information
Interested in additional information regarding CPP discounted pricing on flu vaccines? Contact the CPP office at cpp@nationwidechildrens.org or call 614-722-2145.