The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, released an independent review of vaccine data for the 2026-27 respiratory virus season. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), provide evidence for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunizations. According to the organizations, the data continues to show that these vaccines provide protection against hospitalization and death without identifying new safety concerns.
The Vaccine Integrity Project, based at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), launched this review process in February 2026. Organizers described the project as a stopgap measure following changes to the federal vaccine recommendation process. The review team examined 69 studies on influenza, 155 on COVID-19, and 75 on RSV published between Aug. 1, 2025, and June 2026.
Based on the VIP findings, four medical organizations—the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)—issued specific recommendations. The AMA generally recommends annual COVID-19 and flu shots for adults. For children, the AAP recommends the flu vaccine for those six months and older, while COVID-19 shots are recommended for children aged 6 to 23 months and for older children in specific risk groups or if the vaccine is desired.
The groups noted that during the 2025-26 season, respiratory viruses resulted in significant medical impact, including at least 390,000 flu-related hospitalizations and between 140,000 and 250,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations. The review found that vaccination can reduce the risk of hospitalization for adults 65 and older by 31% for flu and 53% for COVID-19.
The clinical guidance will be available for the respiratory virus season, which generally runs from October to May. Patients may find that their physicians are using guidance developed by the VIP and medical societies in addition to federal schedules. Recommendations are reflected in clinical advice and a new public information website, SpreadTheFacts.org.
While VIP organizers stated the project is not intended to replace federal committees such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the move creates a transparent framework for evidence review. The medical groups are encouraging patients to discuss specific timing and eligibility with their healthcare providers.