Four Major US Medical Organizations Release Unified Vaccine Guidance for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV

Four leading medical organizations in the United States—the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)—on September 2, 2026 launched unified vaccination guidance for three major respiratory diseases: influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The guidance was published through the SpreadTheFacts platform, which provides evidence-based recommendations for all age groups, from children to older adults.

The move comes ahead of the respiratory virus season, which typically rises in the coming months. According to Graham Tse, MD, a pediatrician and chief medical officer at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, California, the initiative is especially timely given the burden these three viruses place on children, families, and the health care system. “I think SpreadTheFacts is very timely because we are heading into respiratory virus season, when influenza, COVID-19, and RSV can place a significant burden on children, families, and the health care system,” he told Medical News Today.

The guidance was developed based on data from the Vaccine Integrity Project, a large review of scientific evidence on respiratory virus vaccines available in the United States. The evidence comes from studies published between August 2025 and June 2026, drawn from the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. Tse emphasized that the recommendations in SpreadTheFacts are based on the latest scientific evidence and were developed with input from leading medical organizations.

Although the guidance is general, Tse cautioned that recommendations may vary depending on age, medical history, and other risk factors. Patients are therefore advised to consult their doctor or pediatrician. “Patients […] should also discuss their individual circumstances with their doctor or pediatrician, because recommendations can vary based on age, medical history, and other risk factors,” he added.

“Vaccine recommendations can change as new evidence emerges, viruses evolve, and we learn more about which populations are most at risk. What remains consistent is the importance of using evidence-based recommendations to protect people from serious respiratory illness.”

— Graham Tse, MD

For those who are hesitant or have questions about vaccination, Tse suggests starting with a conversation with a doctor or pediatrician. “I would encourage people who are hesitant [about vaccination] to start with a conversation with their doctor or their child’s pediatrician,” he advised. “Ask questions, discuss the potential benefits and risks, and make sure you are getting information from trusted medical sources, not from social media or misinformation.”

He also emphasized that vaccines have been extensively studied and remain one of the most effective tools for preventing serious infectious diseases. “The main goal is not to prevent every infection, but to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death,” he explained. “Recent evidence continues to show meaningful protection from influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunization, with no significant new safety issues identified in the latest evidence review.”

Indonesian context: Although this guidance was issued by US medical organizations, its principles are relevant to Indonesia, which also faces similar challenges in controlling respiratory diseases. Indonesia has a significant burden of influenza and COVID-19, especially during the rainy season. In addition, awareness of RSV remains low, even though the virus can cause serious lower respiratory tract infections in infants and older adults. Lessons from this unified guidance could encourage the Ministry of Health and professional organizations such as IDI to develop more coordinated recommendations and increase public education about the importance of evidence-based vaccination. The main challenges in Indonesia are vaccine access and distribution, especially in remote areas, as well as the persistent strength of misinformation on social media.

Looking ahead, the key question is how quickly countries with limited resources, including Indonesia, can adopt a similar evidence-based approach to protect vulnerable populations. Will platforms like SpreadTheFacts inspire similar initiatives at the regional level, or will gaps in access and information continue to widen? Time will tell, but small steps such as consulting health care professionals remain key.