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Medical groups say October is a good time to get a flu vaccine, before influenza typically spreads widely and because protection takes about two weeks to develop. Updated COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are also available for people who meet recommendations, though eligibility and access vary.
Medical groups are urging people to get vaccinated against flu in October, before the virus spreads widely and to allow about two weeks for protection to develop. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and RSV protection are also available for some groups, as professional organizations publish guidance while federal vaccine advice has not been updated, 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 recommendations for the people they serve, along with supporting evidence. Their guidance says nearly everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine. Flu poses higher risks for 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 experts say they reduce the chance of severe outcomes. The Vaccine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota, reported that last year’s vaccines reduced flu-related hospitalizations among older adults by 31%. The report also notes unusually high numbers of child flu deaths in the previous two seasons, with most of those children unvaccinated.
There are several flu vaccine options. Three enhanced formulations are intended for older adults; family physicians advise 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 50 and older. One study found it was 27% more effective than a standard shot at preventing symptomatic illness among adults ages 50 to 64. FluMist, a nasal spray, may be an option for eligible people ages 2 to 49.
COVID-19 recommendations differ by organization. The FDA has formally approved updated shots for people 65 and older and younger people with at least one risk-raising health condition, while family physicians recommend vaccination for all adults, especially those at higher risk. Pediatricians recommend vaccination for children 6 months to 23 months and older children with high-risk conditions, and support it for other children whose parents want it. RSV vaccination recommendations focus on older adults and some people at increased risk.
Protection Before Fall Virus Spread
Timing matters because flu protection takes roughly two weeks to develop, while influenza commonly spreads during the fall and winter. Getting vaccinated in October gives the immune system time to respond before broader circulation, though vaccination remains available later in the season.
The stakes extend beyond missed work or several days of symptoms. Flu causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year, according to the source report. Vaccines cannot guarantee that a person will avoid illness, but clinicians stress that lowering the risk of severe disease is a meaningful benefit, particularly for people more likely to face complications.
Fall vaccination decisions may involve more than one virus. COVID-19 cases rose in late summer, and experts anticipate another period of increased spread around the winter holidays. RSV is often mild but can become severe for infants and older adults. Discussing which vaccines apply to a person’s age and health circumstances can help address these distinct seasonal risks.
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Who Is Issuing Fall Guidance
Federal vaccine advice is usually developed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its independent advisory panel. This year, the panel is involved in a court dispute and the CDC has not updated its advice, according to the report. The professional medical organizations have published recommendations for their patient populations during that gap; their guidance should not be mistaken for a new CDC recommendation.
Updated COVID-19 shots are available from Moderna, Pfizer, and, for eligible age groups, non-mRNA options from Novavax and Sanofi. The report says the FDA’s formal approval is focused on higher-risk people, while medical groups take broader positions for some populations. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines generally offer stronger protection against severe illness than against mild infection.
Common side effects from flu and COVID-19 vaccines include temporary soreness, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or mild fever. The report says these effects occurred somewhat more often with mFlusiva than with standard flu shots. Pharmacies are a common source, but COVID-19 vaccine rules and age limits vary by state. Medicare covers fall shots, and most private insurers say they plan to continue coverage through 2027; coverage for the new mRNA flu vaccine may need to be checked separately.
“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, an emergency physician with the American College of Emergency Physicians
Eligibility and Coverage Still Vary
Federal guidance has not been updated, and the advisory panel’s court dispute remains part of the reason professional groups are filling the gap. The report does not provide a resolution date or say when the CDC may revise its recommendations.
Individual eligibility can depend on age, health status, state pharmacy rules, and the vaccine product. COVID-19 shots may have different age limits at pharmacies, and insurance coverage for mFlusiva should be confirmed with the insurer. The source material’s RSV discussion is incomplete: it gives recommendations for some adults but does not include the full guidance for pregnancy or infants, so those details cannot be established from the report provided.
Plan Doses Around Seasonal Risk
People can check with a clinician or pharmacist about which flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccines are appropriate and where they are available. October is described as an ideal time for flu vaccination, but shots remain available later in fall. For COVID-19 vaccination, some experts say people may time a dose a few weeks before a trip or gathering, while older adults may be advised to receive a second dose six months after a fall dose.
Availability, state rules, and insurance coverage should be checked locally, particularly for children and for the newly approved mRNA flu vaccine. The next major developments to watch are updated federal guidance and how respiratory virus activity changes as the season progresses.
Key Questions
Why get a flu shot in October?
Experts say October is a good time because flu can begin spreading widely in fall and protection takes about two weeks to develop. Vaccination is still available later in the season.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical societies cited in the report recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone 6 months and older. They identify older adults, pregnant people, young children, and people with chronic health conditions as groups at higher risk from flu.
Do flu vaccines prevent every infection?
No. The report says flu vaccines do not block all infections, but they can reduce the risk of severe outcomes. The Vaccine Integrity Project reported a 31% reduction in flu-related hospitalizations among older adults last year.
Can flu and COVID-19 vaccines be found at pharmacies?
Pharmacies are a common place to get both, although COVID-19 rules and age limits vary by state. People should check local availability and confirm insurance coverage, especially for mFlusiva.
Who is advised to get RSV protection?
The report says family physicians recommend a one-time RSV vaccination for adults 75 and older, people ages 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. It does not provide the complete RSV guidance for other groups.
Source: rss
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