The flu is coming. Here’s how to protect yourself from its worst effects

It’s October and it’s time to flu shots.

Medical experts recommend getting a flu vaccine early, before the flu begins to spread widely – and also staying informed about its protection against other fall respiratory viruses. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available now, as well as vaccines for people who are particularly vulnerable to another winter risk called RSV.

While these infections make many people miserable for a few days before recovering, each year the flu alone causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations in the United States and kills tens of thousands.

Vaccination is not “a guarantee that we will prevent disease. But just like the seat belt in your car, it decreases the risk” of the worst outcomes, said Dr. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Guidance on fall vaccines generally comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its independent advisory committee. But this year, this panel, which influences state vaccine and insurance policies, is caught in a legal battle and the CDC has not been updated his advice.

NOW groups of doctors fill this gap: 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 have job vaccination guidelines for their patient populations as well as scientific evidence behind them.

Here’s what you need to know:

Almost everyone should get a flu shot

Almost everyone ages 6 months and older needs a flu shot, medical societies agree. But the flu is especially dangerous for people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and people of all ages with chronic health problems, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and a weakened immune system. The past two flu seasons have resulted in an unusually high number of child deaths, the vast majority of them unvaccinated children.

Vaccines don’t block all flu infections, but they help prevent the worst outcomes, reducing hospitalizations among older people by 31% last year, according to the Vaccine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota.

Here’s how to choose among multiple flu vaccine options

Three “improved” flu vaccines aim to better protect older people. The American Academy of Family Physicians urges them to choose one — “but don’t delay your vaccination if one is not available,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal of the AAFP.

THE Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new choice for people aged 50 and over, the first flu vaccine made with the same mRNA technology that has been essential to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. One study found that Moderna’s mFlusiva was 27% more effective against symptomatic illness in 50- to 64-year-olds than a standard injection.

People opposed to injections might choose a nasal spray, FluMist, if they are ages 2 to 49 and meet other health criteria.

The latest news on COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines were once recommended for almost everyone by federal health agencies, but like last year, the FDA has only officially approved them for people at higher risk – people aged 65 and over or younger people with at least one health problem that increases their risk.

Still, family doctors recommend that all adults get the COVID-19 vaccine, especially older adults and those with other risk factors. Adults 65 and older should receive one dose in the fall, then a second dose six months later as immunity wanes over time, Nosal said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a COVID-19 shot for all children ages 6 to 23 months and for older children with high-risk conditions. He also supports the vaccination of any child whose parent wishes it.

With millions of vaccines administered, there is no evidence that coronavirus vaccination during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or other problems, “so please, get vaccinated,” said Dr. Christina Davidson of ACOG.

Depending on age, people can choose a shot from Moderna, Pfizer or the only non-mRNA version from Novavax and Sanofi.

Just like flu shots, these vaccines are more effective at preventing severe illness than mild cases. The Vaccine Integrity Project said last fall’s COVID-19 vaccines reduced the risk of hospitalization by 53% among older adults and reduced emergency room visits for very young children.

Common side effects of the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are mild and temporary, such as arm pain, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and mild fever. They occurred slightly more often with the new mFlusiva than with the standard flu vaccine.

Here’s where you can get vaccinated

Although pediatricians and some clinics offer flu and coronavirus vaccines, they are more common at pharmacies.

For COVID-19 shots, states have more pharmacy rules. For example, Walgreens says it offers these shots without a prescription in all but two states, Arizona and Oregon, but can provide doses to children as young as 3 in some states, while others have higher age limits.

Medicare covers fall vaccines, and most private health insurers say they plan to continue doing so through 2027. If you’re interested in choosing mFlusiva, Moderna’s new flu option, be sure to check that your insurance covers it.

When to get vaccinated

Flu experts say October is the best month, although vaccines will remain available until the fall – remember it can take two weeks for protection. COVID-19 cases spiked in late summer and typically start again during the winter holidays. Some experts say it’s also OK to schedule the coronavirus shot a few weeks before an event you wouldn’t want to miss due to illness, such as a special trip or meeting.

RSV is a nuisance for many, but it can be deadly for some

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is usually a cold-like nuisance in fall, winter, and early spring. But it can be serious, even life-threatening, for infants and the elderly.

Family doctors recommend a one-time vaccination for adults 75 and older, people 50 to 74 at increased risk, or younger people with weakened immune systems.

It is also recommended at the end of pregnancy to protect infants born during the RSV season. Additionally, pediatricians recommend a vaccine-like medication for infants whose mothers have not been vaccinated and certain other high-risk babies.

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