Medical groups are stepping up to provide vaccine advice as the fall season approaches, urging people to get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. This comes as a response to the confusion caused by the Trump administration's changing advice on vaccine recommendations. With the Food and Drug Administration's approval of updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines, it's crucial to understand who should get them and when. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically provides this guidance, the advisory panel is currently caught in a court battle, leaving a void that medical groups are filling. 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 released vaccination guidelines for their respective patient populations.
The consensus is that nearly everyone should get vaccinated against the flu, with the exception of those with chronic health problems. The flu vaccine is particularly important for people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and individuals with chronic health issues like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and weakened immune systems. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce hospitalizations by 31% in older adults, according to the Vaccine Integrity Project. Additionally, three enhanced flu vaccines are designed to better protect seniors, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends choosing one, although it's not a requirement if the preferred vaccine is unavailable.
For COVID-19 vaccines, the situation is slightly different. While federal health agencies initially recommended them for everyone, the FDA has only formally approved them for higher-risk individuals, such as those 65 and older or younger people with health conditions that increase their risk. However, family physicians still recommend that all adults, especially seniors and those with risk factors, get vaccinated. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 6 months to 23 months and older kids with high-risk conditions, as well as for any child whose parent wishes it. The vaccines are better at preventing severe disease than mild cases, and there's no evidence that coronavirus vaccination during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or other problems.
Side effects from flu and COVID-19 vaccines are generally mild and temporary, such as sore arms, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and mild fever. The new mFlusiva flu vaccine has been found to be 27% more effective against symptomatic illness among 50- to 64-year-olds compared to a standard shot. As for timing, October is an ideal month to get a flu vaccine, as influenza typically starts spreading in November. COVID-19 vaccination can be timed a few weeks before an important event to avoid illness. Additionally, the family physicians recommend a one-time RSV vaccination for adults 75 and older, people 50 to 74 at increased risk, or younger people with weak immune systems, and during late pregnancy to protect infants born during RSV season.
In terms of accessibility, pediatricians, clinics, and pharmacies offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines. States have varying rules for pharmacy availability, and Medicare covers the fall shots, with most private health insurers planning to continue coverage through 2027. Overall, medical groups are emphasizing the importance of vaccination to protect against flu and COVID-19, especially during the fall and winter months when these illnesses are most prevalent.
