On September 25 the U.S. government declined to issue a universal flu vaccination recommendation for the 2026-27 season, leaving the decision to parents and physicians. The administration frames it as a matter of parental choice, and physician groups continue to recommend universal shots for children. The discussion has since moved to coverage: with no ACIP recommendation, insurance is not required to cover the mRNA flu vaccine, which costs over $100 without it. The disagreement over who should set the default, and who pays, remains open.