Guideline Video

Guideline Resources

  • COVID-19 Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 2026-2027
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • September 2, 2026
  • Summary
  • Full-text

Video Transcription

Just published September 2nd, 2026, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ newest policy statement on COVID-19 Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 2026-2027. This policy statement updates the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the prevention of severe COVID-19 in children. In today’s rapid update, we’ll just be going over a summary of recommendations so for the full policy statement, make sure to check it out on guidelinecentral.com

Let’s get started. 

  • 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. 
  • 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 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. 

And there you have it. Make sure to check out the full policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other related clinical decision support tools at guidelinecentral.com.

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