The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging children ages 6 months and older receive this year's flu shot. The Illinois-based organization is making the recommendation before any federal agencies release their own guidelines for the upcoming flu season.Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed its long-time universal recommendation for the annual flu shot from its childhood vaccine schedule. Instead, the CDC only said certain "high-risk" groups need to get the shot or when doctors recommend it in what’s called “shared decision-making.”In the organization's statement, the pediatric organization emphasized the safety and benefits of the shot, especially after nearly 200 children died from the flu during the 2025-2026 flu season. Yet less than 50% of children ages 6 months to 17 years were vaccinated, according to the the group.“The good news is flu vaccines have been thoroughly studied,” said Dr. Kristina Bryant, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases.“We know they are safe in children and they can prevent not just hospitalizations and death but every year they prevent a substantial number of illnesses that result in trips to the doctor’s office," Bryant said in a statement. "We want to keep kids healthy and going to school and parents healthy and going to work. Flu vaccines can help us accomplish that.”A recent CDC study found the flu shot reduces the risk of kids and teens dying from the virus by 80%. During the 2024-2025 flu season, the CDC estimates the vaccine prevented nearly 15,000 hospitalizations and 245 deaths in children and teens.The American Academy of Pediatrics noted the CDC has yet to release new flu vaccine recommendations.The pediatrics group recommends that children receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available — ideally by the end of October, ahead of flu season. Pregnant and breastfeeding people are also encouraged to get the shot to protect themselves and their infants.Pediatricians have previously told the Sun-Times it's best for everyone to get their flu shot just before winter because the vaccine works best in the eight to 12 weeks after getting it. ...read more read less