October is when flu shots show up at the pediatrician, the pharmacy and the county clinic. This year many parents are also unsure what the official advice is, because the federal childhood vaccine schedule has been in court for most of 2026.

Here is where things stand this week, who is most at risk, and where to get a flu shot in Nueces County if you decide it is right for your child.

The headlines, sorted out

In January 2026, the CDC published a new childhood schedule that moved the flu vaccine from a routine recommendation for every child to “shared clinical decision-making,” meaning parents and a clinician decide together. On March 16, 2026, a federal district court in Massachusetts paused that new schedule. According to the Congressional Research Service, the court order puts the schedule back to the version in place in May 2025, which recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.

The federal government appealed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit scheduled oral arguments for October 6, 2026, so this could change again. We will update this post if it does.

In the meantime, two groups have spoken clearly for this season:

• Texas DSHS, on October 1 (Texas Influenza Awareness Day): “We recommend everyone ages six months and older get a flu shot as soon as possible.”
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a yearly flu vaccine for all children 6 months and older without a medical reason not to, with no preference for one brand or form over another.

The AAP also notes that the CDC has not issued new flu vaccine recommendations for this season, and that flu vaccines are expected to be covered by commercial insurance and the Vaccines for Children program as usual.

Whichever approach you prefer, both lead to the same step: a real conversation with your child’s clinician in October, not in January when flu is already at school.

Last season, in plain numbers

The 2025–2026 season was hard on children. The AAP reports 190 flu deaths among U.S. children, a number that was still rising as late reports came in. Through May 16, 2026, only 49.4% of children 6 months to 17 years had been vaccinated. The AAP says that historically about 85% of children who died of flu were not vaccinated, and it cites a CDC study in Pediatrics that found vaccination lowered children’s risk of dying from flu by 80%.

Why this matters more for some of our kids

The AAP lists the children at higher risk of serious flu complications. Children under 5, especially under 2, are on it. So are children with:

• Asthma or other chronic lung disease
• Diabetes or other endocrine disorders
• Obesity (a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex)
• Heart, kidney, liver or blood disorders such as sickle cell disease
• Neurological conditions, or a weakened immune system

The UTHealth Dell Center’s Texas SPAN survey (2021–2023) found about 1 in 4 Texas school-age children has obesity, compared with about 1 in 5 nationally. If your child is on this list, the conversation matters more.

Timing: why the AAP says “by the end of October”

Texas DSHS notes the body takes about two weeks to build protection after a flu shot. Some younger children need two doses, four weeks apart, which is why starting early matters.

Source: AAP, Preparing for the 2026–27 Influenza Season. The nasal spray (FluMist) is approved for ages 2 to 49 and is offered through Texas Vaccines for Children this season; your child’s clinician can tell you whether the shot or the spray fits your child.

If your child gets sick anyway

Texas DSHS says children with flu more often have vomiting and diarrhea than adults do. If your child is in a high-risk group and develops flu symptoms, DSHS advises calling a healthcare professional right away, because antiviral medicines work best when started within 48 hours. Mild illness does not need the emergency room, and children can go back to normal activities after they have been fever-free for 24 hours. The AAP adds one firm rule: never give aspirin to a child or teen with flu.

Where to get a flu shot in Nueces County

• Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Immunization Clinic, 1702 Horne Road, Room 93. Walk-ins or appointments, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. (last walk-ins at 11 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.), with extended hours to 6 p.m. the first Monday of each month. A satellite clinic is at the Johnny Calderon County Center, 710 East Main, Robstown.
• No-cost vaccines through Texas Vaccines for Children for children 18 and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid, or American Indian or Alaska Native. The clinic asks you to bring your child’s Medicaid card, immunization record and a photo ID.
• Your pediatrician or clinic. If you do not have one, Amistad Community Health Center’s pediatrics clinic at 7017 S. Staples (361-994-7255) uses a sliding fee.
• Pharmacies: Vaccines.gov lets you search by ZIP code. Call ahead to confirm they vaccinate children your child’s age.

Where Ignite Fit comes in

Ignite Fit is a free ten-week health season for children 8 to 17 in Nueces County, built around movement, real food and family. Healthy habits only help if a child is well enough to show up, so we will keep sharing plain, sourced guidance like this all year. Season One dates will be announced soon, and parents are welcome at every session. If your family needs help finding a doctor, food or coverage, start on our Get Help page.