Medical Groups Urge Flu, Covid Shots Amid Federal Guidance Confusion
Major doctors' organizations issued their own vaccination guidelines this fall to fill gaps left by shifting federal advice.
Leading U.S. medical groups banded together Wednesday to urge people to get updated flu and Covid-19 vaccinations this fall, releasing joint guidelines aimed at cutting through confusion caused by the Trump administration's changing vaccine advice.
Flu vaccinations are underway and updated Covid-19 shots are arriving after the Food and Drug Administration approved this year's versions last week. Advice on who should get vaccinated typically comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Trump health officials have pulled back on some longstanding recommendations despite no new scientific evidence, and the CDC's advisory panel is embroiled in a court battle. The CDC did not respond to questions about new fall guidance.
In response, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America each released their own vaccination guidance. The American Medical Association is compiling the recommendations at SpreadTheFacts.org.
"There's been a lot of confusion and chaos regarding vaccine recommendations," said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the AMA.
The groups agree nearly everyone six months and older should get a flu shot, which is especially important for people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and those with chronic conditions. A University of Minnesota analysis found flu vaccines cut hospitalizations among older adults by 31%. New this year is an mRNA-based flu vaccine, Moderna's mFlusiva, for people 50 and older, along with three "enhanced" vaccines for seniors and a nasal spray option, FluMist, for eligible people ages 2 to 49.
For Covid-19, the FDA has formally approved shots only for people 65 and older or those with risk factors, but family physicians recommend the vaccine for all adults, with seniors getting a second dose six months later. Pediatricians recommend Covid-19 shots for children 6 to 23 months and older kids with high-risk conditions, plus any child whose parents want it. Obstetricians said there is no evidence Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage.
The same analysis found last year's Covid-19 shots reduced hospitalization risk among seniors by 53%. Side effects for both vaccines are typically mild, including sore arms, fatigue and headaches.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
