Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2024-2025: Policy Statement

Abstract

This statement updates the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for the routine use of influenza vaccines and antiviral medications in the prevention and treatment of influenza in children during the 2024-2025 influenza season. A detailed review of the evidence supporting these recommendations is published in the accompanying technical report (www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2024-068508). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual influenza vaccination of all children without medical contraindications starting at 6 months of age. Children are at risk for hospitalization and death from influenza. Influenza vaccination is an important strategy for protecting children and the broader community as well as reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses when other viruses are cocirculating. Any licensed influenza vaccine appropriate for age and health status can be administered, ideally as soon as possible in the season, without preference for one product or formulation over another. All licensed influenza vaccines for use in the United States are trivalent for the 2024-2025 influenza season. Antiviral treatment of influenza is recommended for children with suspected (eg, influenza-like illness [fever with either cough or sore throat]) or confirmed influenza who are hospitalized or have severe or progressive disease or have underlying conditions that increase their risk of complications of influenza, regardless of duration of illness. Antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Antiviral treatment may be considered in the outpatient setting for symptomatic children who are not at high risk for influenza complications with suspected or confirmed influenza disease, if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset. Antiviral treatment may also be considered for children with suspected or confirmed influenza disease whose siblings or household contacts either are younger than 6 months or have a high-risk condition that predisposes them to complications of influenza. Antiviral chemoprophylaxis is recommended for the prevention of influenza virus infection as an adjunct to vaccination in certain individuals, especially exposed children who are asymptomatic and are at high risk for influenza complications but have not yet been immunized or those who are not expected to mount an effective immune response.