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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 may also be appropriate, depending on age and health risks; recommendations and eligibility differ by vaccine and patient group.
Medical groups are urging people to get flu vaccination in October, before influenza spreads widely and with time for immunity to develop, while also advising patients to check whether updated COVID-19 or RSV protection is appropriate for them. The guidance comes as the federal vaccine advisory process is caught in a court dispute and the CDC has not updated its advice, 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 guidance for their respective patient groups, along with information about the evidence supporting it. Their recommendations differ by age, pregnancy status, and health risks. They advise flu vaccination for nearly everyone age 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. MedPage Today reports that the last two flu seasons had unusually high numbers of child deaths, most of them among unvaccinated children. Vaccines do not prevent every infection, but the report cites Vaccine Integrity Project figures showing flu vaccination decreased hospitalizations among older adults by 31% last year.
Several flu vaccine options are available, including three enhanced vaccines intended to offer better protection to seniors. The family physicians’ group advises older adults to choose one if available, but not to delay vaccination if it is not. The FDA recently approved Moderna’s mFlusiva for people 50 and older; one study cited in the report found it was 27% more effective than a standard shot against symptomatic illness in adults ages 50 to 64. A nasal spray is an option for some people ages 2 to 49.
COVID-19 guidance also varies. The FDA has formally approved updated shots for adults 65 and older and younger people with at least one risk-increasing health condition, while family physicians recommend vaccination for all adults, particularly those at higher risk. The pediatric group recommends shots for children 6 months to 23 months and older children with high-risk conditions, and supports vaccination for children whose parents want it. RSV vaccination is recommended for some older adults and other higher-risk groups.
Timing Protection Before Winter
October timing matters because flu protection takes about two weeks to develop, according to the report, while flu activity can rise later in fall and winter. Vaccinating before widespread transmission gives the immune response time to build, though it cannot guarantee that a person will avoid infection.
The stakes are not limited to missed work or a few days of symptoms. The report says flu causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Medical experts cited by MedPage Today describe vaccination as a way to reduce the risk of severe outcomes, not eliminate it. That distinction is relevant to people weighing protection against the possibility of temporary side effects such as a sore arm, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or mild fever.
The same seasonal planning applies to COVID-19 and RSV, but not everyone has the same recommendation or access rules. Checking eligibility and local availability now may help people at greater risk arrange vaccination before exposure rises.
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Guidance Amid Federal Dispute
Fall vaccine recommendations typically come from the CDC and its independent advisory panel. This year, that panel is involved in a court battle, and the CDC had not updated its advice at the time of the MedPage Today report. The medical societies have issued their own guidance for the populations they serve, filling a gap in recommendations while the federal process remains unsettled.
Updated COVID-19 shots are available from Moderna, Pfizer, and, for eligible people, non-mRNA options from Novavax and Sanofi. The report says COVID-19 vaccines tend to offer stronger protection against severe disease than mild illness. It cites Vaccine Integrity Project estimates that last fall’s shots reduced hospitalization risk by 53% among seniors and lowered emergency department visits among very young children.
RSV is often a cold-like illness but can become severe for infants and older adults. The family physicians’ guidance recommends a one-time RSV vaccination for adults 75 and older, adults ages 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. The source also discusses RSV protection during pregnancy, but the supplied report excerpt ends before giving the full recommendation.
“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
nasal spray flu vaccine for children
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Eligibility and Advice Still Vary
There is no single recommendation covering every vaccine and every person. COVID-19 eligibility depends on factors including age and health conditions, and state rules can affect whether pharmacies may administer shots to children and whether a prescription is needed. People should check current local requirements and their health plan rather than assume access is identical everywhere.
The report says Medicare covers fall vaccines and that most private insurers planned to continue coverage through 2027, but advises checking coverage for mFlusiva, the newer Moderna flu vaccine. The supplied source excerpt also cuts off while describing RSV vaccination in pregnancy, so it does not establish the complete recommendation for pregnant people. The federal advisory panel’s court dispute and the status of any later CDC guidance are also not resolved in the material provided.
COVID-19 updated vaccine for seniors
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Plan Vaccination Before Spread
People can contact a clinician, pharmacy, or local health department to confirm which vaccines are recommended for their age and health circumstances, and where they are available. Flu vaccination is recommended in October by experts cited in the report, but remains available through fall; the report notes it can take about two weeks for protection to develop.
Patients considering COVID-19 vaccination can ask about timing, product options, and any state-specific pharmacy rules. Some experts cited by MedPage Today say it can be reasonable to schedule a COVID-19 shot a few weeks before an important trip or gathering. The CDC’s advice and developments in the advisory panel’s court dispute may alter the broader guidance, but the report does not specify a date for an update.
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Key Questions
Why get a flu shot in October?
Medical experts cited by MedPage Today say October is a good time because flu can spread widely later in fall and winter, and it takes about two weeks for protection to develop. Vaccination remains available through fall.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The medical societies cited in the report recommend flu vaccination for nearly everyone age 6 months and older. Flu can be especially serious for older adults, pregnant people, young children, and people with certain chronic conditions or weakened immune systems.
Does vaccination prevent every flu or COVID-19 infection?
No. The report says vaccines do not block all infections. Their stated benefit is reducing the risk of severe outcomes; protection against mild illness can be more limited.
Who may be eligible for an RSV vaccine?
The family physicians’ guidance cited in the report recommends a one-time RSV vaccine for adults 75 and older, adults ages 50 to 74 at increased risk, and some younger people with weakened immune systems. The source excerpt does not include the full pregnancy guidance.
Where can people get fall vaccines?
Flu and COVID-19 shots are available at pharmacies and some pediatric or other clinics, according to the report. Pharmacy rules vary by state, particularly for COVID-19 shots for children, so people should check local availability and insurance coverage before going.
Source: rss
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