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Medical organizations advise most people aged 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine in October, before influenza spreads widely and because protection takes about two weeks to develop. Guidance on updated COVID-19 vaccines and RSV prevention is also available, though federal vaccine advice has not been updated this year.
Medical groups are urging people to get flu shots in October, before influenza begins spreading widely and to allow about two weeks for protection to develop. The advice comes as updated COVID-19 vaccines and RSV protection are also available, while federal vaccine guidance has not been updated this year, according to the source report.
Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Infectious Diseases Society of America say nearly everyone aged 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine. The groups identify adults 65 and older, pregnant people, young children and people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems as particularly vulnerable to severe illness.
There are several vaccine options. Three enhanced flu vaccines are intended to offer better protection for older adults; the family physicians’ group recommends choosing one when available, but says 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 nasal spray option is available for some people aged 2 to 49 who meet health criteria.
COVID-19 recommendations vary by organization and age. The FDA has formally approved updated shots for people 65 and older and younger people with at least one risk-raising health condition. The family physicians’ group recommends vaccination for all adults, with particular emphasis on higher-risk people. The pediatricians’ group recommends shots for children aged 6 months to 23 months and older children at higher risk, and supports vaccination for other children if their parent wants it. RSV vaccination is recommended for some older adults and other higher-risk groups.
Protection Before Flu Spreads
The timing matters because vaccine protection takes roughly two weeks to develop, and flu can cause serious illness as well as seasonal disruption. The report says influenza causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Vaccines do not prevent every infection, but the report cites evidence that they can reduce severe outcomes.
For example, 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 brought unusually high numbers of child deaths, most of them among unvaccinated children. These figures make vaccination especially relevant for people at higher risk and those around them, while not guaranteeing that an individual will avoid infection or serious illness.
Getting seasonal vaccines also involves practical choices: which product is appropriate, when to schedule it, and whether it is covered by insurance. The report says Medicare covers fall shots and most private insurers plan to continue coverage through 2027, but people may need to check coverage for the newer mFlusiva vaccine.
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Fall Guidance in Flux
In a typical year, fall vaccine advice is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its independent advisory panel. The source report says the panel is involved in a court battle and the CDC has not updated its recommendations this year. The panel’s advice can influence state policies and insurance coverage.
In response, several medical societies have published guidance for the populations they serve, along with the scientific evidence behind their recommendations. Those recommendations are not identical: COVID-19 advice, for example, differs among federal regulators and professional groups. Readers should check current eligibility, availability and local pharmacy rules, particularly for children and COVID-19 shots.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are better at preventing severe disease than every mild infection, according to the report. Common side effects include a sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and mild fever; the report says these are generally temporary. It also notes that side effects occurred somewhat more often with mFlusiva than with standard flu shots.
“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, an emergency physician and representative of the American College of Emergency Physicians
nasal spray flu vaccine for children
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Guidance and Access Still Vary
Federal recommendations remain unsettled, according to the report, and it does not specify when the CDC or its advisory panel might issue updated advice. The professional societies’ guidance fills part of that gap, but recommendations differ by age, health status and organization.
Access also depends on location. Pharmacy rules for COVID-19 shots vary among states, including which ages can receive a dose without a prescription. The report says Walgreens offers COVID-19 shots without a prescription in all but Arizona and Oregon, while minimum ages for children vary by state. It is not clear from the source whether every vaccine is available at every clinic or pharmacy.
The report does not provide current local flu activity levels or a forecast for how severe the coming season will be. Nor does it establish that an individual vaccine will prevent infection. People with questions about eligibility, product choice, pregnancy or coverage should check with a qualified health professional and their insurer.
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Plan Vaccination for October
People who plan to get vaccinated can check with a pharmacy, pediatrician or clinic about available products, age limits and appointment requirements. The report identifies October as the preferred time for flu vaccination, while noting that doses remain available through the fall. Because protection takes about two weeks to build, waiting until flu is widespread may leave less time for immunity to develop.
People considering COVID-19 vaccination can check which product is available and whether they qualify under local rules. The report says some experts consider timing a COVID-19 dose a few weeks before a trip or gathering, while noting that cases often rise around winter holidays. Older adults should consult current guidance about whether a later additional dose is appropriate.
For RSV prevention, eligibility depends on age and risk. The supplied report identifies recommendations for adults 75 and older, adults aged 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. Its source text ends before completing the discussion of RSV recommendations, so details for other groups and any further guidance are not included here.
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Key Questions
Why is October a recommended time for a flu shot?
Medical groups advise getting vaccinated before flu spreads widely. The report says it takes about two weeks for protection to develop, and 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 aged 6 months and older. They highlight older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems as groups at higher risk.
Does a flu vaccine prevent every infection?
No. The report says flu vaccines do not block all infections, but they can lower the risk of severe outcomes. The degree of protection varies, and vaccination is not a guarantee against illness.
Are updated COVID-19 shots recommended for everyone?
Recommendations differ. The FDA has formally approved updated shots for adults aged 65 and older and younger people with certain health conditions. The family physicians’ group recommends vaccination for all adults, while pediatric guidance focuses on younger children and children at higher risk, and supports vaccination for others if parents wish.
Where can people check vaccine availability and coverage?
Pharmacies, pediatricians and clinics may offer seasonal vaccines, but availability and rules vary by location. The report says Medicare covers fall shots and most private insurers plan coverage through 2027; people should check directly with their insurer about specific products, including mFlusiva.
Source: rss
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