As October arrives, public‑health officials are urging Americans to receive their flu vaccinations before influenza begins spreading widely. The call comes alongside recommendations for updated COVID‑19 boosters and a one‑time RSV vaccine for high‑risk adults.
Who should get the flu shot
All individuals six months of age and older are advised to receive a flu vaccine, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The groups stress that older adults, pregnant people, young children, and anyone with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immune systems face the greatest risk.
Recent flu seasons have seen unusually high numbers of child deaths, most of them among unvaccinated children. While the vaccine does not prevent every infection, data from the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota show that flu shots reduced hospitalizations among adults 65 and older by 31% last year.
Choosing among vaccine options
Three enhanced flu vaccines are marketed to better protect seniors. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends seniors select one of these products but cautions against delaying vaccination if a preferred option is unavailable.
The Food and Drug Administration has also approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA‑based flu vaccine for people 50 and older. A study cited by the societies found mFlusiva to be 27% more effective against symptomatic illness in adults 50‑64 compared with a standard shot.
For those who prefer a needle‑free option, the nasal spray FluMist is available to healthy individuals ages 2 to 49 who meet specific criteria.
COVID‑19 booster guidance
COVID‑19 vaccination recommendations have shifted. While the FDA now formally approves the shots only for higher‑risk groups—people 65 and older or younger individuals with qualifying health conditions—most professional societies still advise all adults to be vaccinated, especially seniors and those with additional risk factors.
Family physicians suggest that adults 65 and older receive a fall dose and a second dose six months later as immunity wanes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID‑19 vaccination for all children six months to 23 months old and for older children with high‑risk conditions, while also supporting vaccination for any child whose parent wishes it.
Pregnant patients can be reassured that extensive data show no increased risk of miscarriage or other complications from COVID‑19 vaccination, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Vaccine effectiveness data from the Vaccine Integrity Project indicate that last fall’s COVID‑19 shots cut the risk of hospitalization for seniors by 53% and reduced emergency‑room visits for very young children.
RSV protection and timing of shots
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) typically causes mild cold‑like symptoms in the fall through early spring but can be severe for infants and older adults. The societies recommend a single RSV vaccine for adults 75 and older, for those 50‑74 with elevated risk, and for younger individuals with compromised immune systems. Vaccination during late pregnancy is also advised to protect newborns during RSV season.
Experts agree that October is the optimal month for flu vaccination, allowing the body roughly two weeks to develop immunity before the virus spreads. COVID‑19 cases often rise in late summer and again around the winter holidays, so a booster a few weeks before major travel or gatherings is advisable.
Vaccines are widely available in pharmacies, many pediatric offices, and some clinics. Walgreens, for example, offers COVID‑19 shots without a prescription in most states and can vaccinate children as young as three in certain locations. Medicare covers the fall shots, and most private insurers have pledged to continue coverage through 2027. Patients considering the newer mFlusiva should verify that their insurance plans cover the product.
Overall, early vaccination remains the most reliable strategy to reduce severe outcomes from flu, COVID‑19, and RSV, protecting both individual health and the broader community.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
