Leading U.S. medical societies have jointly urged the public to receive this season’s updated influenza and COVID‑19 vaccines, and they have added guidance on the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The coordinated statements aim to cut through confusion that followed shifting advice from the previous administration.
Flu vaccine guidance for all ages
All four groups—the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)—agree that anyone six months of age or older should be immunized against influenza. The recommendation is especially urgent for seniors, pregnant people, young children and anyone with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immunity.
Data from the Vaccine Integrity Project, published in JAMA, indicate that flu shots reduce hospitalizations among adults 65 and older by roughly 31 percent. While no flu vaccine eliminates infection entirely, the reduction in severe outcomes is a key public‑health benefit.
For seniors, three “enhanced” flu vaccines are available, and the AAFP advises choosing one of these formulations when possible, but not to postpone vaccination if a specific product is unavailable. A new option for people 50 and older is Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA‑based flu shot that a study found to be 27 % more effective against symptomatic illness in adults aged 50‑64 compared with standard vaccines. The FDA has approved mFlusiva, and pharmacies are expected to receive limited supplies soon.
Individuals aged 2‑49 who meet health criteria may opt for the intranasal FluMist spray instead of an injection.
COVID‑19 vaccine updates and recommendations
The Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID‑19 vaccines earlier this week. Although the agency formally limits approval to higher‑risk groups—people 65 and older or younger individuals with qualifying health conditions—family‑medicine societies continue to recommend vaccination for all adults. The AAFP suggests that seniors receive a fall dose followed by a second dose six months later to counter waning immunity.
The AAP advises COVID‑19 vaccination for all children six months through 23 months, and for older children who have high‑risk conditions. It also supports vaccination for any child whose parent wishes it. ACOG’s Dr. Christina Davidson emphasized that extensive data show no increased risk of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications from COVID‑19 vaccination, urging pregnant patients to be vaccinated.
Vaccine options remain the same as last year: mRNA products from Moderna and Pfizer, and the protein‑based shots from Novavax and Sanofi. The Vaccine Integrity Project reported that last fall’s COVID‑19 shots cut senior hospitalizations by 53 % and markedly reduced emergency‑room visits among very young children.
Side effects for both flu and COVID‑19 vaccines are generally mild—sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches or low‑grade fever—and tend to resolve quickly. The newer mFlusiva has shown slightly higher rates of these transient reactions compared with traditional flu shots.
RSV vaccine, access points and timing
RSV, a virus that causes cold‑like symptoms in fall and winter, can be life‑threatening for infants and older adults. The societies recommend a single RSV vaccine dose for adults 75 and older, for those 50‑74 with elevated risk, and for younger individuals with compromised immune systems. ACOG also advises vaccination during late pregnancy to protect newborns during RSV season.
Infants whose mothers were not vaccinated, as well as other high‑risk babies, may receive a vaccine‑like medication, according to the pediatric guidelines.
Vaccinations are most readily available at pharmacies, though many pediatric offices and clinics also offer both flu and COVID‑19 shots. Walgreens, for example, provides COVID‑19 vaccines without a prescription in all states except Arizona and Oregon, and in some states can vaccinate children as young as three.
Medicare covers the fall shots, and most private insurers have pledged to continue coverage through 2027. Health officials suggest October as the optimal month for flu vaccination, given that influenza activity usually begins in November. COVID‑19 cases tend to rise in late summer and again after the winter holidays, so receiving the shot a few weeks before major travel or gatherings is advisable.
By posting their recommendations and supporting evidence online, the medical societies aim to give the public clear, consistent, science‑based guidance while the federal advisory process remains unsettled.
Steve Lopez is a Senior Editorial Columnist and Health & Public Policy reporter for News Raise. Steve focuses on healthcare advancements, medical technologies, and public health policies.
