Locating the Latest Science-based Vaccine Recommendations
In June 2025, the composition of the committee that makes vaccine recommendations to the CDC, known as the ACIP, was dramatically changed, as were the processes by which these recommendations were made historically. The result has been recommendations not supported by the body of scientific evidence. The January 2025 immunization schedules are the last schedules available reflecting changes made using the Evidence to Recommendations (EtR) framework, long regarded as a comprehensive and rational methodology for creating immunization recommendations. The result has been a divergence of vaccine recommendations by professional societies composed of clinicians from those made by federal officials and the CDC. To assist clinicians in staying abreast of the latest science-based recommendations, we have developed a one-stop webpage that will be updated as recommendations change or as new statements become available.
Birth to 18 years of age
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been producing immunization schedules based on the recommendations of its Committee on Infectious Diseases (COID) since the 1930s. The recommendations are published in the Red Book. Between 1995 and early 2025, the AAP and CDC schedules were harmonized. However, in August 2025, the AAP published a schedule that diverges from CDC, following a review of the latest science related to fall respiratory viruses in particular COVID-19.
- AAP 2025 schedule
- Red Book
- Recommendations for the Prevention of RSV Disease in Infants and Children: Policy Statement
- Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Policy Statement
- The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has the same recommendations for children related to COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
18 years and older
Recommendations vary for adults based on a variety of factors, such as age, occupation, and health status. The 2025 adult immunization schedule published in January 2025 was changed in July 2025 to reflect a discontinuation of the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, as directed by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These changes circumvented the usual recommendation process and were not supported with the presentation of any existing or new science to support the change. Quite the opposite, pregnancy remains a high-risk condition for severe COVID-19. As a result, many scientists and clinicians, as well as professional societies representing several physician groups, disagreed with the changes.
Because different groups of clinical specialists care for adults with various health-related conditions, several professional societies represent these clinicians. In this section, you will find links to recommendations or statements from these groups, organized by vaccine. If you do not see a vaccine listed, no statements regarding changes to the ACIP’s recommendations originally published in January 2025 on the adult immunization schedule have been made. The originally approved and published 2025 adult schedule is available on the American College of Physicians (ACP) website. It is also available, for a fee, in laminated form from Immunize.org.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has a version of the general schedule posted online, along with a statement that they no longer endorse the CDC’s adult schedule. See the AAFP’s online schedule.
COVID-19
| Source of guidance, date published | Population impacted | Summary recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| ACOG, August 2025 | Pregnant and lactating individuals | Recommends use of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant and lactating individuals. |
| ACC, August 2025 | Individuals with heart disease | Primary series and 2024-2025 vaccine for persons 6 months of age and older. |
| AAFP, September 2025 | All adults | Recommends use of COVID-19 vaccine for all adults, particularly those 65 years and older, those with conditions that increase their risk of severe disease, and those who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine. They also recommend use anytime during pregnancy and during lactation. |
Abbreviations: ACOG, American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians; ACC, American College of Cardiology; AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians
Influenza
| Source of guidance, date published | Population impacted | Summary recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| ACOG, August 2025 | Pregnant and lactating individuals | Recommends use of influenza vaccine among all individuals who will be pregnant during influenza season. Nasal spray vaccine is not approved for use during pregnancy. |
| ACC, August 2025 | Individuals with heart disease | Annual for persons aged >6 months; nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for patients aged 50 years of age and older. Specific vaccines are recommended for those aged 65 years of age and older. |
| AAFP, September 2025 | Everyone 6 months and older | Recommends use of age-appropriate version of influenza vaccine for everyone 6 months and older who does not have medical contraindications. |
Abbreviations: ACOG, American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians; ACC, American College of Cardiology; AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
| Source of guidance, date published | Population impacted | Summary recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| ACOG, August 2025 | Pregnant and lactating individuals | Provides guidance for the use of RSV vaccine during pregnancy for the prevention of severe RSV disease in young infants. |
| ACC, August 2025 | Individuals with heart disease | One-time vaccination for adults 50 years of age and older. |
| AAFP, September 2025 | Certain adults | One dose of RSV vaccine is recommended for adults 75 years and older, those 50-74 years of age at increased risk. During pregnancy: One dose of Abrysvo if 32-36 weeks of gestation occurs between September and January. |
Abbreviations: ACOG, American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians; ACC, American College of Cardiology; AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians
Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) datasets
The Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) has brought together groups of scientists and clinicians to ensure that the latest science is used to inform vaccine recommendations and guidance in the U.S. They are working with professional societies and insurers, and they have committed to working in a transparent and science-based manner.
August 19, 2025, review of fall respiratory viruses (Influenza, COVID-19, RSV)
VIP’s review of fall respiratory viruses were based on the latest ACIP reviews using the Evidence to Recommendations (EtR) framework for each of the three viruses. ACIP information prior to VIP analyses can be found here:
- Influenza: February 2024 meeting | June 2024 meeting | October 2024 meeting | April 2025 meeting
- COVID-19: February 2024 meeting | June 2024 meeting | October 2024 meeting | April 2025 meeting
- RSV: February 2024 meeting | June 2024 meeting | October 2024 meeting | April 2025 meeting
About VIP
Additional resources
Many groups are working to ensure that clinicians and families have access to the latest, and seemingly ever-changing, information about vaccines. This section of the webpage includes links to other organizations and resources that you may find helpful. If you know of other resources, please contact us.
- Common Health Coalition is providing “a coordinated response that better serves patients and communities.” Their “Vaccine Resources” page includes various stakeholder toolkits, links to recommendations, and several specific resources, such as a “2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Availability, by State” document.
- American Families for Vaccines, formerly SAFE Communities Coalition, tracks state and federal policy changes related to vaccines.
- Infectious Disease Prevention Network (IDPN) is another advocacy organization that is tracking state and local policy changes related to vaccines.
Reviewed by Paul A. Offit, MD, on Sept. 15, 2025