What’s the ideal time to get your flu vaccination?

Medical experts urge everyone to get a flu vaccination soon, before influenza starts spreading widely, and to get up to date on protection against other fall respiratory viruses, including updated COVID-19 shots and RSV vaccines for vulnerable populations. While flu does not guarantee prevention of illness, it decreases the risk of severe outcomes, much like a seat belt in a car, according to Dr. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Although the CDC’s advisory panel is delayed due to a court battle, major medical societies including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have issued their own flu vaccination guidelines. They agree that nearly everyone starting at age 6 months should get vaccinated, with special emphasis on those 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems.

The vaccines do not block all infections but reduce severe outcomes—last year, they decreased hospitalizations among older adults by 31 percent, according to the Vaccine Integrity Project. Three enhanced flu vaccines are recommended for seniors, and the FDA has approved an mRNA-based flu vaccine for people 50 and older, which showed 27 percent greater effectiveness against symptomatic illness in those aged 50 to 64 compared to standard shots. For those who avoid shots, the nasal spray FluMist is an option for ages 2 to 49 who meet health criteria.

Regarding COVID-19, while federal approval is limited to higher-risk groups, family physicians recommend all adults get vaccinated, especially seniors and those with risk factors, advising adults 65 and older to get a fall dose and a second dose six months later. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports COVID vaccination for children 6 to 23 months and older kids with high-risk conditions, and for any child whose parent wants it.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal