The flu shot still stops most child flu deaths. What the new review says.

An independent Vaccine Integrity Project and AMA review of nearly 19,000 studies is the cleanest parent briefing before the 2026-2027 respiratory season. CDC said on 25 September that RSV and flu activity are still very low and COVID-19 is elevated but falling. That lull is when shots and antibodies have to be booked.

What changed

Flu vaccine was about 80% effective against lab-confirmed flu death in children 6 months to 17 years across eight seasons. Maternal flu vaccination cut symptomatic flu in infants under 6 months by 44%. Maternal COVID vaccination cut infant hospital contacts in the first two months by about half. Maternal RSV vaccine cut infant hospitalization 51-70%. Nirsevimab cut first-season RSV hospitalization 64-93%. No new pediatric safety signals.

Background

RSV was the leading cause of U.S. infant hospitalization before the current products. AAP still wants every first-season infant under 8 months protected unless the pregnant parent already received Abrysvo at 32-36 weeks, and it widened second-season antibody for high-risk children 8-19 months. CDC antibody window in most states is October through March.

Competing viewpoints

Pediatric groups treat the review as confirmation. Agencies that stepped back from universal pediatric COVID shots read the same data as concentrating risk in the youngest infants and children with medical conditions. The review notes post-marketing safety data often lacks a control group, so "no new signal" is not a proof of zero risk.

What to watch

Hospital stock of nirsevimab and clesrovimab for October births. Whether insurers follow the AAP or narrower CDC list for second-season doses. Flu vaccine for anyone 6 months and up before community flu rises. This is not medical advice.

Sources: Vaccine Integrity Project/AMA review; Contemporary Pediatrics 28 Sep 2026; CDC respiratory channel 25 Sep 2026; AAP RSV 2026-27 policy.