The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) just released its 2026-2027 policy statement regarding COVID-19 vaccines for infants, children, and adolescents. The guidance provides recommendations for infants and children who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, children belonging to other risk groups, and more.

Briefly, the AAP recommends all infants and children 6 through 23 months of age who do not have contraindications receive a 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine. A single dose of age-appropriate 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for all children and adolescents who are 2 through 18 years of age and who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination status. The AAP recommends a single-dose of age-appropriate 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine for children 2 through 18 years of age who are not considered at risk of severe COVID-19, if their parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19.

Today, we’re featuring the recommendations from the 2026 AAP COVID-19 Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Adolescents policy statement. View the full-text version for the complete look at the recommendations, alongside timing considerations, and additional resources.

Recommendations from the 2026 AAP COVID-19 Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Adolescents Guidance

  • Infants and children 6 through 23 months of age are at high risk for severe COVID-19. The AAP recommends all infants and children in this age group who do not have contraindications* receive 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine, as follows:
    • Those who are previously unvaccinated should receive an initial vaccine series
    • Those who are previously vaccinated but did not complete their initial vaccine series should complete their initial vaccine series.
    • Those who are previously vaccinated and completed their initial series should receive a single dose. This dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after the last dose was received.
    • Those with a previous asymptomatic infection or symptomatic disease caused by SARSCoV-2 should also receive COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Children 6 months through 18 years of age who are moderately or severely immunocompromised require 2 or more doses of age-appropriate 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine depending on previous vaccination status. Refer to the AAP Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for dosing recommendations. Conditions associated with moderate or severe immunocompromise, as well as evidence regarding risk for severe COVID-19 and immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in this population, are described in the technical report. 
  • The AAP recommends a single dose of age-appropriate 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine for all children and adolescents 2 through 18 years of age in the following risk groups (as described in Table 1) regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination status:
    • Persons at high risk of severe COVID-19
    • Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings
    • Persons who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19
    • Persons whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19
  • Children 2 through 18 years of age not included in the risk groups above whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19 should be offered a single dose of age appropriate 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine. This dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after the last dose was received. 
  • Any available COVID-19 vaccine appropriate by age and health status that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration through a biologics license application can be used. The most updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine that is available should be used.

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