Although it might be a bit early to determine the severity of the current flu season, one thing is certain: getting vaccinated against influenza offers you the best protection to prevent serious illness and hospitalization.
Although the flu vaccine is recommended for adults and kids age 6-months and older, it’s likely that children will be a group that will become more vulnerable to significant illness without being vaccinated during this upcoming flu season, infectious disease experts warn.
“It’s no secret that children, along with the elderly, are the most vulnerable to suffer from getting the flu, and makes it that much more important for them to get the flu vaccine,” said Dr. David Bronstein, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley. “For children who are averse to the flu vaccine due to fear or discomfort, a flu mist administered through the nose is also available that offers great protection against influenza.”
Reasons for cautious optimism
Dr. Bronstein noted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated all three components of the upcoming 2026-27 flu vaccine to better reflect the strains expected to circulate, including changes prompted by viruses that spread widely last season. The CDC also expects an adequate vaccine supply, according to cdc.gov.
In addition, evidence cited by the AAP indicates that flu vaccination among children does the following:
- Reduces the risk of flu-related death in children and teens by about 80 percent.
- Prevents thousands of hospitalizations among children each season, according to healthychildren.org
According to Dr. Bronstein, children are likely to be especially vulnerable this upcoming flu season due to several factors. They include:
- The last flu season was severe for children
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) described the 2025-26 season as another high-severity season for children.
- Approximately 190 pediatric deaths were reported, and pediatric hospitalization rates were among the highest seen in many years.
- Vaccination rates remain relatively low
- Only about 49 percent of children aged 6 months to 17 years were vaccinated during the 2025-26 season, according to AAP reports.
- Historically, roughly 85 percent of children who die from flu are unvaccinated, making vaccination coverage an important determinant of risk, according to healthychildren.org.
- Young children are at inherently higher risk
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies children younger than 5, especially those younger than 2, as being at an elevated risk for serious complications.
- Children with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, immune suppression and other chronic conditions are also more vulnerable. [cdc.gov]
What complications concern pediatric experts?
While many children experience a routine flu illness, complications can lead to:
- Pneumonia.
- Dehydration.
- Worsening asthma or other chronic diseases.
- Encephalopathy (brain dysfunction).
- Rarely, death. According to CDC.gov
AAP experts also note that children can experience severe neurological and cardiac complications.
The Bottomline
Pediatric infectious disease experts are concerned about the upcoming flu season because the previous season was severe, vaccination coverage remains suboptimal, and young children continue to be one of the groups most likely to experience serious complications from influenza.
As a result, many pediatricians are approaching the 2026-27 season with caution rather than expecting a mild year. Visit publications.aap.org to learn more.
