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Medical groups recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone 6 months and older, ideally in October before influenza spreads widely. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and RSV protection are also available for eligible groups, though federal guidance has not been updated this season.
Medical groups are urging flu vaccination in October, before influenza spreads widely, and say eligible people should also consider updated COVID-19 and RSV protection. Their guidance comes as the federal advisory panel that typically informs vaccine policy is involved in a court dispute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not updated its advice, 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 published recommendations for the patients they serve, along with supporting evidence. They agree that nearly everyone aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Flu poses particular risks to adults 65 and older, pregnant people, young children, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems.
There are several flu vaccine options. Three enhanced vaccines are intended to provide better protection for older adults; the family physicians’ group recommends that seniors choose one if available, but not postpone vaccination while looking for it. The FDA has also approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older. One study cited in the report found it 27% more effective than a standard shot against symptomatic flu among adults aged 50 to 64. A nasal spray is an option for some people aged 2 to 49.
COVID-19 vaccine recommendations vary by age and risk. The report says the FDA has formally approved updated shots for people 65 and older and younger people with at least one risk-increasing health condition, while family physicians recommend vaccination for all adults, with particular emphasis on higher-risk groups. Pediatricians recommend shots for children aged 6 months to 23 months and older children with high-risk conditions, and support vaccination for other children if parents want it. RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 75 and older, adults aged 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems.
Protection Before Winter Illness Spreads
October timing matters because flu vaccine protection takes about two weeks to develop, while flu activity can increase later in fall and winter. Getting vaccinated now gives the immune response time to build before wider spread, though vaccination does not prevent every infection.
The stakes go beyond missed work or several days of feeling ill. The report says flu causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. It also cites unusually high child flu deaths over the past two seasons, with most of those children unvaccinated. A public health group, the Vaccine Integrity Project, reported that flu vaccination decreased hospitalizations among older adults by 31% last year. These figures describe reported outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual.
Updated COVID-19 and RSV protection may also matter as respiratory viruses circulate during colder months. The report says last fall’s COVID-19 shots reduced hospitalization risk by 53% among seniors, according to the Vaccine Integrity Project. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are generally more effective at preventing severe illness than mild infection, so the expected benefit is chiefly reducing the chance of the worst outcomes.
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Fall Vaccine Guidance This Season
In previous seasons, fall vaccine advice commonly came from the CDC and its independent advisory panel. This season, the panel is caught in a court battle and the CDC has not updated its recommendations, the report says. The panel’s advice can affect state policies and insurance coverage, so professional medical organizations have issued guidance for their own patient groups while the federal situation remains unresolved.
Vaccines are available through pharmacies, clinics, and some pediatric practices. Access rules for COVID-19 shots can differ by state, including age limits and whether a prescription is needed. Medicare covers fall vaccines, and most private insurers say they plan to continue coverage through 2027; patients may want to check whether their plan covers the new mFlusiva vaccine.
RSV is often a cold-like illness but can become severe, especially for infants and older adults. The report describes vaccination recommendations for at-risk adults; it does not provide a full account of infant RSV prevention options. People should check current eligibility and availability with a healthcare professional or local pharmacy.
“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 vaccine guidance remains unsettled, according to the report, because the advisory panel is involved in litigation and the CDC has not issued an update. The report does not specify when the court dispute will be resolved or when federal recommendations may change.
Availability and eligibility for COVID-19 shots depend in part on state rules, and the coverage status of mFlusiva may vary by insurance plan. The report also does not give current local flu or RSV activity levels, so it cannot establish how quickly those viruses are spreading in a particular area. Vaccine effectiveness estimates cited here refer to specific groups and seasons and should not be treated as predictions for every person.
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Check Eligibility and Book a Dose
People seeking fall protection can check with a pharmacy, clinic, or healthcare professional about which vaccines are recommended and available for their age and health situation. Because flu protection takes about two weeks to develop, the medical advice described in the report is to get vaccinated in October rather than wait for widespread circulation. Those considering a COVID-19 shot may also ask a clinician about timing, especially if planning travel or a gathering.
Patients should confirm state requirements and insurance coverage before scheduling, particularly for COVID-19 vaccines and mFlusiva. Further developments may include updated federal recommendations as the advisory panel’s court dispute proceeds; no timing for such an update is established in the report.
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Key Questions
When is the best time to get a flu shot?
The report says flu experts consider October a good time, before wider spread. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop, and vaccination remains available through fall.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical organizations cited recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. Flu can be especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant people, young children, and people with certain chronic conditions.
Are updated COVID-19 shots recommended for everyone?
Recommendations differ. The report says the FDA has formally approved updated shots for adults 65 and older and younger people with certain health conditions. Family physicians recommend vaccination for all adults, while pediatric recommendations focus on younger children and children at higher risk, with support for other children whose parents choose vaccination.
Can I get RSV protection this fall?
The report says RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 75 and older, adults aged 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. Ask a healthcare professional about current eligibility and local availability.
Do vaccines prevent every infection?
No. The report says flu and COVID-19 vaccines do not block all infections and are better at preventing severe disease than mild cases. Vaccine protection reduces risk but is not a guarantee against illness.
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