Flu and COVID Vaccine Recommendations for Fall 2026
Updated mRNA flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available this fall, with medical societies strongly recommending October vaccination for high-risk groups.
New mRNA-based flu vaccines and updated COVID-19 shots are accessible this fall. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the mFLUSIVA mRNA flu vaccine by Moderna for people ages 50 and older. Updated COVID-19 shots are available now for broader age groups.
Just about everybody starting at age 6 months needs flu vaccination, major medical societies agree. Vaccines do not block all infections, but they help prevent the worst outcomes. COVID-19 shots are better at preventing severe disease than mild cases.
Vaccination is especially critical for high-risk groups
Pregnant women, seniors, and those with chronic conditions face higher risks from flu and COVID-19. Vaccines significantly reduce severe outcomes without increasing pregnancy risks. With millions of shots administered, there is no evidence that coronavirus vaccination during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or other problems, said Dr. Christina Davidson of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who urged pregnant patients to get the vaccine.
High-risk groups for flu include people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and people of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weak immune systems. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have all posted updated vaccination guidelines for their patient populations.
Vaccines decrease older adults’ hospitalizations. One study found Moderna’s mFlusiva was 27% more effective against symptomatic illness among 50- to 64-year-olds than a standard shot. The Vaccine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota, said vaccines decreased older adults’ hospitalizations by 31% last year.
Timing and access matter for effective protection
It is October and time for flu shots. Medical experts urge getting a flu vaccination soon, before influenza starts spreading widely. October is best for flu vaccination, although shots will remain available through the fall. Protection takes two weeks to kick in.
Availability is widespread. Walgreens offers both flu and coronavirus shots for ages 3 and older with no prescription needed. While pediatricians and some clinics offer both, they are available for most ages through pharmacies. Medicare covers the fall shots and most private health insurers say they plan to continue doing so through 2027.
Options exist for different needs and preferences
Individuals can choose formats and timing that suit their health. The shot-averse could choose a nasal spray, FluMist, if they are ages 2 to 49 and meet other health criteria. Depending on age, people can choose a COVID-19 shot from Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax, or Sanofi, with Sanofi's being the only non-mRNA version.
Three enhanced flu vaccines are designed to better protect seniors. The American Academy of Family Physicians urges seniors to choose one enhanced flu vaccine but not to delay vaccination if that one is not available, said AAFP’s Dr. Sarah Nosal.
Shots for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, are available for people especially vulnerable to another winter risk. RSV typically is a cold-like nuisance but can be severe and life-threatening for infants and older adults. Family physicians recommend one-time RSV vaccination for adults 75 and older, people 50-74 at increased risk, and younger people with weak immune systems. For pregnant women, it is recommended during late pregnancy to protect infants born during RSV season. A vaccine-like medication is recommended for infants whose mothers were not vaccinated and for some high-risk babies.
Common side effects for flu and COVID-19 vaccines are mild and temporary, such as sore arms, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and mild fever. Side effects occurred somewhat more often with mFlusiva than with standard flu shots.
COVID-19 shots once were recommended for just about everyone by federal health agencies. Like last year, the FDA has only formally approved them for higher-risk people-those ages 65 and older or younger people with at least one health condition that increases their risk. Family physicians recommend all adults get COVID-19 vaccination, especially seniors and those with risk factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the COVID-19 shot for children 6 months to 23 months and for older kids with high-risk conditions, and also supports vaccination for any child whose parent wishes it.
The Vaccine Integrity Project said last fall’s COVID-19 shots cut the risk of hospitalization by 53% in seniors and slashed emergency room visits for very young children. Every year flu alone causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations in the U.S. The last two flu seasons brought unusually high numbers of child deaths, the vast majority in unvaccinated kids.
Fall vaccine advice usually comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its independent advisory panel. This year, the CDC’s advisory panel is caught in a court battle and the CDC has not updated its flu advice. Adults 65 and older should get a fall dose of COVID-19 vaccine and a second dose six months later, as immunity wanes over time.
