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Medical groups recommend that nearly everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, and say October is a good time to do so before influenza spreads widely. Updated COVID-19 shots and RSV protection are also available for some groups, though federal guidance has not been updated this year and eligibility varies by vaccine.
Medical groups are urging flu vaccination in October, before influenza is expected to spread widely, while updated COVID-19 shots and RSV protection are also available for eligible people. The recommendations come as federal vaccine advice has not been updated this year, leaving professional medical organizations to publish guidance for their patient groups, according to MedPage Today.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Infectious Diseases Society of America have issued vaccine recommendations and cited the scientific evidence behind them. The groups agree that nearly everyone age 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine. Flu can be especially dangerous for adults 65 and older, pregnant people, young children and people with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immunity.
Flu vaccination does not prevent every infection, but evidence cited in the report points to protection against severe outcomes. The Vaccine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota, reported that flu vaccines reduced hospitalizations among older adults by 31% last year. The report also says the last two flu seasons saw unusually high numbers of child deaths, most of them among unvaccinated children.
There are several flu vaccine options. Three enhanced vaccines are intended to improve protection for seniors; the AAFP advises older adults to choose one if available, but not to delay vaccination if it is not. The FDA has also approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older. A study cited by MedPage Today found it was 27% more effective against symptomatic flu than a standard shot among adults ages 50 to 64. FluMist nasal spray is an option for some people ages 2 to 49.
Protection Before Flu Spreads
Getting vaccinated ahead of wider flu circulation gives the body time to develop protection: the flu vaccine can take about two weeks to work. Vaccination is not a guarantee against infection, but it can lower the risk of serious illness. Ryan Stanton, an emergency physician with the American College of Emergency Physicians, compared vaccination to a seat belt, saying it decreases the risk of the worst outcomes.
The timing matters because influenza causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year, according to the report. Fall is also a period when people can address protection against more than one respiratory virus. COVID-19 cases rose in late summer and commonly rise again around the winter holidays, while RSV can be severe for infants and older adults.
For readers, the practical point is to check which vaccines are recommended for their age and health circumstances, then arrange them before seasonal circulation increases. Flu and COVID-19 shots are often available at pharmacies, though rules for COVID-19 vaccination, particularly for children, vary by state.
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Fall Guidance Beyond Federal Advice
Federal health agencies and an independent advisory panel typically shape fall vaccine guidance, which can influence state policies and insurance coverage. This year, the panel is involved in a court dispute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not updated its advice, MedPage Today reported. In response, medical societies have issued recommendations for the groups they serve.
COVID-19 recommendations differ across organizations and age groups. The FDA has formally approved updated shots for people 65 and older and younger people with at least one condition that raises their risk. The AAFP recommends vaccination for all adults, particularly seniors and people with risk factors. It advises adults 65 and older to get a fall dose and another six months later. The AAP recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 6 months to 23 months and older children at high risk, and supports vaccination for any child whose parent wants it.
RSV vaccination is aimed at groups at higher risk rather than the general population. The AAFP recommends a one-time dose for adults 75 and older, people ages 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. The supplied report also notes RSV protection during pregnancy, but its description of that recommendation is cut off.
“Vaccination isn’t “a guarantee that we’re going to prevent illness. But just like the seat belt in your car, it decreases risk” of the worst outcomes.”
— Ryan Stanton, MD, of the American College of Emergency Physicians
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Guidance and Access Still Vary
Federal recommendations remain unupdated in the report, and the court dispute involving the advisory panel may affect how guidance develops. The supplied material does not say when the CDC or panel will issue further advice. Medical-society guidance is available, but recommendations can differ by organization and population.
Access also depends on location. Pharmacy rules for COVID-19 shots vary by state, including age limits for children; Walgreens, for example, says it offers shots without a prescription in all but Arizona and Oregon. Insurance coverage for mFlusiva may need to be checked separately. The report says Medicare covers fall shots and most private insurers plan to continue coverage through 2027, but it does not establish every person’s eligibility or out-of-pocket cost.
The source material does not provide complete details for the RSV recommendation during pregnancy, nor does it specify how long this season’s protection will last for every vaccine. People should confirm current eligibility, timing and coverage with a clinician, pharmacy or insurer.
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Vaccination Plans for the Weeks Ahead
Flu vaccination remains available through the fall, and October is the timing experts cited as a good opportunity. People who have not received a flu shot can ask a pharmacy or clinic which options are available; seniors may ask about an enhanced vaccine without postponing the shot if that product is unavailable.
People considering COVID-19 vaccination can check current state pharmacy rules and ask about timing. Some experts cited in the report say it can be reasonable to schedule a dose a few weeks before an important trip or gathering. Those eligible for RSV vaccination can discuss the one-time recommendation with a health professional. Further federal guidance and local availability remain subject to change.
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Key Questions
When is the best time to get a flu shot?
Medical experts cited by MedPage Today say October is a good time, before flu spreads widely. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop, though vaccination remains available through the fall.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical societies cited in the report recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone age 6 months and older. Older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with certain chronic conditions face higher risks from flu.
Do flu vaccines prevent every infection?
No. The report says flu vaccines do not block every infection, but they can reduce the risk of severe outcomes. The Vaccine Integrity Project reported a 31% reduction in flu hospitalizations among older adults last year.
Who is eligible for updated COVID-19 shots?
The FDA has formally approved updated shots for people 65 and older and younger people with at least one health condition that increases risk. Medical-society recommendations also address other groups, including children, and pharmacy rules vary by state. Check local eligibility before making an appointment.
Who should consider RSV vaccination?
The AAFP recommends a one-time RSV vaccine for adults 75 and older, people ages 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. Ask a qualified health professional whether the recommendation applies to you.
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