On September 2, 2026, four top United States medical groups — the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) — issued consolidated guidelines on vaccinations for common respiratory infections.
They launched SpreadTheFacts, a resource for doctors and patients, listing recommendations for seasonal COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection vaccines for all age groups.
Speaking to Medical News Today, Graham Tse, MD, pediatrician and chief medical officer of MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA, noted that this resource was very timely:
“I think SpreadTheFacts is particularly timely because we are heading into respiratory virus season, when influenza, COVID-19, and RSV can place a significant burden on children, families, and the healthcare system.”
Tse emphasized the need for “clear, trustworthy information about which vaccines and immunizations are recommended and why,” adding that “having a centralized resource that brings together the latest evidence and recommendations from leading medical organizations can help patients and physicians have more informed conversations about prevention.”
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Here is what the consolidated vaccine guidelines issued jointly by the AAFP, AAP, ACOG, and IDSA state, in a nutshell.
The consolidated guidance was based on data from the Vaccine Integrity Project, a large-scale review of the evidence regarding respiratory virus vaccines available in the United States.
This evidence came from studies published between August 2025 and June 2026, sourced via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL.
“The recommendations on SpreadTheFacts are grounded in the latest scientific evidence and were developed with input from leading medical organizations,” said Tse.
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At the same time, he recommended that “patients […] also discuss their individual circumstances with their physician or pediatrician, since recommendations can vary based on age, medical history, and other risk factors.”
“Vaccine recommendations can change as new evidence emerges, viruses evolve, and we learn more about which populations are at greatest risk. What remains consistent is the importance of using evidence-based recommendations to protect people against serious respiratory illnesses.”
– Graham Tse, MD
“I would encourage people who are hesitant [about vaccinations] to start with a conversation with their doctor or their child’s pediatrician,” Tse advised. “Ask questions, discuss the potential benefits and risks, and make sure you are getting information from reliable medical sources rather than social media or misinformation.”
“Vaccines have been extensively studied and remain one of our most effective tools for preventing serious infectious diseases. The goal is not necessarily to prevent every infection, but to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death,” he explained.
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“The latest evidence continues to show meaningful protection from influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations, with no new major safety concerns identified in the recent evidence reviews,” the pediatrician emphasized.
Tse also added that parents should feel encouraged to ask any questions they may have to their doctors.
“As a pediatrician, I also want parents to know that it is completely reasonable to have questions,” he said. “My recommendation is to bring those questions to your child’s pediatrician and make the decision based on the best available scientific evidence.”
