TL;DR
Medical groups say most people age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine, with October a good time to do so before influenza spreads widely. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and RSV protection are also available for eligible groups, while federal guidance remains unsettled.
Medical groups are urging people to get vaccinated against flu in October, before the virus spreads widely, and to review their protection against COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The advice comes as the CDC has not updated its recommendations this year and an independent federal vaccine advisory panel is involved in a court battle, 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 each published guidance for the populations they serve, along with supporting scientific evidence. The groups agree that nearly everyone age 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine. October is a preferred time because it allows protection to build before broader spread; immunity can take about two weeks to develop.
Flu vaccination does not prevent every infection, but it can reduce the risk of severe illness. The report says flu causes hundreds of thousands of U.S. hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths each year. It also cites a Vaccine Integrity Project estimate that last season’s vaccines reduced flu-related hospitalizations among older adults by 31%. The report says the past two seasons had unusually high numbers of child flu deaths, most of them among unvaccinated children.
Several flu vaccine options are available. Three enhanced vaccines are designed for older adults, and the AAFP advises seniors to choose one when available without delaying vaccination if it is not. 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 at preventing symptomatic illness among people ages 50 to 64. FluMist, a nasal spray, may be an option for some people ages 2 to 49.
Protection Before Winter Virus Spread
Getting vaccinated before flu circulates widely gives the body time to develop protection and may lower the chance of serious outcomes. The benefit is particularly relevant for older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immune systems.
Flu is not the only seasonal concern. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available, and RSV can become severe for infants and older adults. The report says vaccines tend to provide stronger protection against severe illness than mild infection. That makes vaccination a risk-reduction measure, not a guarantee against becoming sick.
Ryan Stanton, an emergency physician with the American College of Emergency Physicians, compared vaccination with wearing a seat belt: it does not guarantee an illness-free season, but it can reduce the risk of the worst outcomes. That distinction matters when weighing vaccine benefits and expectations.
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Fall Guidance Beyond Flu
Federal vaccine advice usually comes from the CDC and its independent advisory panel, which can influence state policies and insurance coverage. This year, the panel is caught in litigation and the CDC has not updated its advice, according to the report. In response, medical organizations have issued recommendations for their own patient groups; these recommendations should not be mistaken for new CDC guidance.
COVID-19 vaccine recommendations differ among organizations. The FDA has formally approved updated shots for people at higher risk, including adults 65 and older and younger people with certain health conditions. The AAFP recommends vaccination for all adults, with particular emphasis on higher-risk people. The AAP recommends shots for children ages 6 months to 23 months and older children with high-risk conditions, and supports vaccination when a parent wishes it.
RSV vaccination is aimed at people more likely to develop severe illness. The report describes a one-time dose recommendation for adults 75 and older, adults 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. It also notes that RSV protection is relevant to infants, though the supplied report excerpt does not provide the full guidance for protecting them.
“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, American College of Emergency Physicians
nasal spray flu vaccine for children
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Federal Advice and Coverage Questions
Federal recommendations remain unresolved in the report: the CDC has not updated its advice, and the independent advisory panel is facing a court battle. The supplied material does not say when the litigation will conclude or when the agency may revise its guidance.
Access and eligibility can vary by vaccine and location. Pharmacy rules for COVID-19 shots differ among states, including age limits and whether a prescription is required. The report says Medicare covers fall shots and most private insurers plan to continue coverage through 2027, but people may need to check whether their plan covers mFlusiva. The supplied excerpt also ends partway through its RSV discussion, so it does not establish all current recommendations, including the complete guidance for infants.
Effectiveness figures cited in the report refer to particular groups, outcomes and seasons; they do not predict an individual’s protection. Vaccine side effects are described as generally mild and temporary, but the report notes that they occurred somewhat more often with mFlusiva than with standard flu shots.
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Timing Shots and Checking Access
People considering fall vaccination can contact a health care professional, pediatrician or pharmacy to confirm which vaccines are available and whether local age or prescription rules apply. Those deciding among flu vaccine options, or checking coverage for mFlusiva, can ask their insurer or provider before booking.
October is the timing recommended by flu experts in the report, but vaccination remains available through fall. Because protection takes about two weeks to develop, people may want to account for that interval. The report says COVID-19 cases rose in late summer and often rise again around winter holidays; some experts say people can time a COVID-19 shot several weeks before an event they want to avoid missing. Readers should consult a qualified health professional for guidance suited to their age, health and vaccine history.
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Key Questions
Why get a flu shot in October?
Flu experts cited by the report identify October as a good time to get vaccinated, before influenza spreads widely. It can take about two weeks for protection to develop.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical organizations cited agree that nearly everyone age 6 months and older should be vaccinated. Flu can be especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with some chronic health conditions.
Does a flu vaccine prevent every infection?
No. The report says vaccines do not block all flu infections, but they can reduce the risk of severe outcomes. The protection varies by outcome, season and population.
Are COVID-19 and RSV vaccines also available?
Yes. Updated COVID-19 shots are available, with eligibility and recommendations varying by age, health status and medical organization. RSV vaccination is recommended for certain older adults and some younger people at increased risk; check with a health professional about individual eligibility.
Where can people check vaccine availability and coverage?
Pharmacies, pediatricians and some clinics offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines, but state rules for COVID-19 shots differ. Ask a local provider about availability and age requirements, and check with an insurer about coverage, especially for the newer mFlusiva option.
Source: rss
