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Medical groups say October is a good time to get a flu vaccine, since protection takes about two weeks to develop and flu can spread widely later in the season. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and RSV protection are also available for eligible groups, but recommendations vary by age, health status and medical organization.
Medical groups are urging people to get vaccinated against flu in October, before the virus spreads widely, and to review whether they are due for updated COVID-19 or RSV protection. The advice comes as the CDC has not updated its fall vaccine guidance, with professional organizations publishing recommendations for their patients instead.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Infectious Diseases Society of America have issued vaccine guidance for the populations they serve. Their recommendations support flu vaccination for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. Flu can be especially dangerous for adults 65 and older, pregnant people, young children, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, or weakened immune systems.
October is a preferred time for flu vaccination because it takes about two weeks for protection to develop. Vaccination remains available later in the fall, and experts say people should not delay if a preferred vaccine is unavailable. Three enhanced flu vaccine options are designed for older adults. The AAFP advises seniors to choose one when possible, but not to put off vaccination while trying to find it. A newly FDA-approved mRNA flu vaccine, mFlusiva, is available for people 50 and older; one study cited in the report found it was 27% more effective against symptomatic illness than a standard shot among adults aged 50 to 64.
COVID-19 vaccine recommendations differ among organizations and eligibility rules. 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, particularly those at higher risk. The pediatric academy recommends vaccination for children aged 6 months to 23 months and older children at increased risk, and supports vaccination for other children if their parent wants it. RSV vaccination is aimed at groups at higher risk, including adults 75 and older and some younger adults with increased risk.
Protection Before Winter Virus Spread
Flu vaccination does not prevent every infection, but the report describes its value as reducing the risk of severe outcomes. Flu causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year, according to the source report. It also notes unusually high numbers of child deaths in the last two flu seasons, with the vast majority among children who were not vaccinated.
The available vaccines also target illnesses that can strain health services during the same fall and winter period. COVID-19 and RSV can be mild for many people but pose greater risks to certain age and health groups. Getting protection ahead of seasonal spread gives immunity time to develop, while allowing people to discuss which products are appropriate for their circumstances with a clinician or pharmacist.
Vaccines are not a guarantee against illness. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians compared vaccination to a seat belt, saying it decreases the risk of the worst outcomes. The report cites Vaccine Integrity Project estimates that flu vaccines reduced hospitalizations among older adults by 31% last year and last fall’s COVID-19 shots reduced hospitalization risk among seniors by 53%; those figures refer to the stated groups and periods, not protection against all infection.
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Guidance During a Federal Pause
Fall vaccine guidance is usually issued by the CDC and its independent advisory panel. The source report says the panel is caught in a court battle and the CDC has not updated its recommendations this year. In that gap, medical societies have published guidance for their respective patient groups, alongside supporting scientific evidence. Their recommendations do not all match federal approval or access rules, particularly for COVID-19 vaccines.
Several flu vaccine formats are available. For adults aged 50 and older, mFlusiva is a newer mRNA option; people aged 2 to 49 who meet health criteria may be eligible for the FluMist nasal spray. Older adults also have three enhanced-dose or adjuvanted options intended to improve protection. Pharmacies are a common source of flu and COVID-19 shots, though state rules affect who can receive COVID-19 vaccines there and at what age. The report says Medicare covers fall shots and most private insurers plan coverage through 2027, but advises checking coverage for mFlusiva.
Common flu and COVID-19 vaccine side effects include a sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and mild fever, generally temporary. The report says these effects occurred somewhat more often with mFlusiva than with standard flu shots. It also says COVID-19 cases rose in late summer and commonly rise again around the winter holidays, while flu vaccination can continue through the fall.
““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, of the American College of Emergency Physicians
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Eligibility and Coverage Vary
Federal CDC guidance has not been updated, according to the report, and the advisory panel’s court battle leaves the status and timing of any new federal recommendations unclear. Professional societies have offered guidance, but recommendations differ, especially for COVID-19 vaccination. The report does not establish that every person eligible under a medical group’s advice can receive a shot at every pharmacy.
Access depends on state rules, age and location. Walgreens, for example, said it offers COVID-19 shots without a prescription in all but Arizona and Oregon, and its minimum age for children varies by state. Insurance coverage for the newer mFlusiva vaccine may also need to be checked. The report does not provide a complete list of state eligibility rules or local vaccine availability.
The source material ends while describing RSV recommendations, so it does not provide the full details of RSV vaccination during pregnancy or for infants. Readers should confirm current eligibility and timing with a healthcare professional or local vaccine provider rather than infer those details from the information available here.
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Plan Shots for Fall and Winter
People who have not received a flu vaccine can arrange one during October or later in the fall; experts cited in the report say not to postpone it while searching for a specific formulation. Because protection takes roughly two weeks to develop, those planning around travel or gatherings may want to factor that interval into their timing. Some experts also say people can time a COVID-19 dose a few weeks before an event they particularly want to avoid missing, while weighing personal risk and clinical advice.
Patients can check vaccine eligibility and availability with a doctor, pharmacist or local clinic, and confirm insurance coverage—especially for mFlusiva. People considering COVID-19 or RSV shots should ask which recommendations apply to their age, health conditions and pregnancy status. The timing of any revised CDC guidance remains uncertain; the medical societies’ posted recommendations are the current guidance described in the report.
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Key Questions
Why get a flu shot in October?
Experts say October is a good time because flu can spread widely later in the season and vaccination takes about two weeks to build protection. Shots remain available through the fall.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical societies cited in the report recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. Flu poses greater risks for older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with certain chronic conditions or weakened immune systems.
Does a flu vaccine prevent every case of flu?
No. The report says vaccines do not block all infections, but they can lower the risk of severe outcomes. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians said vaccination decreases the risk of the worst outcomes.
Are updated COVID-19 shots recommended for everyone?
Recommendations differ. The FDA’s formal approval described in the report covers people 65 and older and younger people with at least one risk-raising health condition, while family physicians recommend vaccination for all adults. Check current eligibility with a clinician or pharmacist.
Where can I get fall vaccines?
Pharmacies commonly offer flu and COVID-19 shots, and pediatricians and some clinics offer them too. COVID-19 pharmacy rules vary by state, so check local eligibility and availability before going.
Source: rss
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