What’s New in Vaccines for Babies and Toddlers This Respiratory Season (2025-2026)
RSV & Flu Updates for Babies and Toddlers (2025–2026)
Winter is here, which means respiratory season is in full swing. As the cold weather keeps us indoors, viruses tend to spread more easily – especially among infants and children. To help families prepare, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published its latest immunization recommendations for the 2025-2026 season, with several important changes parents and caregivers should know.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Therapeutic Changes:
A new therapeutic option has become available to help protect infants from RSV this season. Enflonsia (Clesrovimab), a new monoclonal antibody, was approved by the FDA earlier this year, providing immediate protection to recipients. With these newer, longer-lasting options, the AAP will no longer be recommending palivizumab, as both enflonsia and nirsevimab offer more durable protection against RSV.
RSV Immunization Schedule:
During the 2025-2026 RSV season, the AAP recommends the following schedule for infants:
• For infants 8 months of age and younger, 1 dose of enflonsia or nirsevimab should be administered prior to or during their first RSV season.
• For children between 8 and 19 months of age, 1 dose of nirsevimab should be administered prior to their second RSV season if they are considered high risk of infection. Enflonsia is not recommended for this age group.
• Most infants under 8 months of age do not require immunization if their mother received the Abrysvo vaccine at least 14 days prior to giving birth, although there may be exceptions.
• Infants born during RSV season should be immunized prior to hospital discharge or during their first well-child visit.
Is Enflonsia a vaccine?
No, enflonsia is not a vaccine. Enflonsia is a monoclonal antibody that offers immediate protection to babies by providing antibodies that fight against the RSV virus.
Influenza (Flu) Therapeutic Changes:
The AAP guidance on influenza vaccination recommendations remains mostly unchanged from last year. Seasonal Flu vaccines continue to protect against H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria lineage; however, H3N2 has been updated to better protect against the latest version of that flu strain.
Flu Immunization Schedule:
During the 2025-2026 flu season, the AAP advises 2 doses of the vaccine administered 4 weeks apart for these categories of infants and children:
• First-time vaccine recipients, or children with fewer than 2 doses prior to July 1st, who are between the ages of 6 months and 8 years.
During the 2025-2026 flu season, the AAP advises 1 dose of the vaccine for these categories of infants, children, and pregnant women:
• Children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years who have received 2 doses of the vaccine in previous seasons.
• Children 9 years of age and above.
• Pregnant women at any point during pregnancy.
FAQs:
Does my baby need RSV protection if I received the RSV vaccine Abrysvo while pregnant?
Generally, your baby will not need additional protection against RSV if you received your Abrysvo vaccine at least 14 days prior to giving birth. The Abrysvo vaccine is typically administered between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant from September – January.
When should I immunize my child against RSV if they were born during RSV season?
Infants born during RSV season should receive 1 dose of enflonsia or nirsevimab prior to hospital discharge or at their first well-child visit, which occurs during their first week.
Who will require 2 flu shots this year?
Children between 6 months and 8 years of age who are either first-time flu vaccine recipients or have not received 2 doses of the flu vaccine in prior seasons will require 2 shots this year.
RSV Protection in Our Office:
We may be in the middle of respiratory season, but there is still time to take preventative measures if you haven’t already. If you would like to schedule your child’s respiratory immunizations, or if you have any questions about this year’s recommendations, please contact Briarcliff Pediatrics to schedule an appointment with Dr. Raymond Deeb, Dr. Rebecca McCoy, or Dr. Nicholas Kelly. We are here to answer all of your questions and concerns. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for practice updates and other health tips.
