TL;DR
Medical groups say October is a good time to get a flu vaccine, since protection takes about two weeks to develop and flu may spread more widely later in the season. Their guidance also covers COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, while federal recommendations have not been updated this year.
Medical organizations are urging people to get vaccinated against flu this October, before influenza spreads widely and because it takes about two weeks for protection to develop. Their fall guidance also addresses updated COVID-19 shots and RSV vaccines, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not updated its advice this year, 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 issued vaccination recommendations for their patient populations, alongside scientific evidence supporting the guidance. The groups say nearly everyone aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Flu can pose a greater risk to adults 65 and older, pregnant people, young children, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems.
Flu vaccines do not prevent every infection, but evidence cited in the report points to protection against severe outcomes. The Vaccine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota, reported that flu vaccination decreased hospitalizations among older adults by 31% last year. The report also says the last two flu seasons had unusually high numbers of child deaths, most among children who had not been vaccinated.
Several options are available. Three enhanced formulations are intended for older adults; the family physicians’ group advises seniors to choose one if available, but not to delay vaccination if it is not. The FDA has also approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA flu vaccine for people aged 50 and older. One study found it was 27% more effective against symptomatic flu than a standard shot among adults aged 50 to 64. FluMist nasal spray is an option for some people aged 2 to 49.
Protection Before Flu Spreads
Getting vaccinated ahead of wider flu activity gives the body time to develop protection, while reducing the chance that a seasonal infection leads to serious illness. That matters especially for people at higher risk, including older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with certain health conditions. Vaccines are not a guarantee against illness, but the guidance presents them as a way to lower the risk of severe outcomes.
The timing matters for other respiratory viruses, too. COVID-19 cases rose in late summer and often rise again around the winter holidays, while RSV typically circulates in fall, winter, and early spring. People may need to check which vaccines are recommended for them and where they can receive them, since eligibility and pharmacy rules vary.
Fall Guidance Beyond Flu
Federal vaccine advice normally comes from the CDC and its independent advisory panel. This year, the panel is involved in a court dispute, and the CDC has not updated its recommendations, according to the report. Medical organizations have published guidance for their respective patient groups amid that gap. Their recommendations do not make the federal advice current; they provide professional guidance based on the evidence the groups cite.
COVID-19 recommendations differ across organizations and age groups. The report says the FDA has formally approved updated shots for people aged 65 and older and younger people with at least one health condition that raises risk. The family physicians’ group recommends vaccination for all adults, with particular attention to higher-risk people. The pediatricians’ group recommends a shot for children aged 6 months to 23 months and older children with high-risk conditions, and supports vaccination for other children if a parent wants it. RSV vaccination is recommended for adults aged 75 and older, adults aged 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are offered through pharmacies and some clinics. Medicare covers fall shots, while most private insurers say they plan to continue coverage through 2027; patients may want to check coverage for mFlusiva. Common short-term side effects of flu and COVID-19 vaccines include a sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or mild fever, the report says.
“Vaccination isn’t a guarantee that we’re going to prevent illness. But just like the seat belt in your car, it decreases risk.”
— Ryan Stanton, MD, of the American College of Emergency Physicians
Guidance and Access Still Vary
Federal recommendations have not been updated, and the report links that status to a court battle involving the CDC’s independent advisory panel. It is not clear when the panel or the CDC will issue revised advice. The medical organizations’ guidance addresses this year’s vaccines, but recommendations can differ by age, risk factors, and organization.
Access also depends on location and eligibility. Pharmacy rules for COVID-19 shots vary by state, including which ages can receive them, and insurance coverage for the new mFlusiva vaccine may need to be checked. The report does not specify when influenza will begin spreading widely in each community or provide a current national flu activity measure.
Vaccination Through the Fall
People considering a fall vaccine can check recommendations for their age and health circumstances with a clinician or pharmacist, then confirm local availability and coverage. Flu vaccination remains available through fall, and experts cited in the report say October is a good time because immunity takes about two weeks to develop. The report says adults aged 65 and older should get a fall COVID-19 dose and a second dose six months later, following the family physicians’ group’s advice.
RSV vaccination advice applies to specified age and risk groups; the source excerpt ends before giving further details on RSV vaccination during pregnancy or for infants. Readers should consult current guidance from their healthcare provider or public health authority for eligibility and timing. Updates from the CDC and its advisory panel, as well as local virus activity and vaccine availability, remain developments to watch.
Key Questions
Why get a flu shot in October?
Experts cited in the report say October is a good time because it takes about two weeks for protection to develop, and vaccination ahead of wider flu spread can help reduce the risk of severe illness.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical organizations cited recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. They identify older adults, pregnant people, young children, and people with chronic health conditions as groups at greater risk from flu.
Do flu vaccines prevent every infection?
No. The report says vaccines do not block all flu infections, but they can reduce the risk of serious outcomes. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians compared vaccination to a seat belt: it lowers risk but does not guarantee prevention.
Can flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines be obtained at pharmacies?
Pharmacies commonly offer flu and COVID-19 shots, while some pediatricians and clinics offer both. COVID-19 pharmacy rules and age limits vary by state. RSV vaccine eligibility depends on age and risk factors, so check with a healthcare provider or local pharmacy.
Source: rss
