Stay Up to Date on Respiratory Virus Vaccines

Vaccines keep you healthy!

Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 viruses change all the time. Vaccines help your body fight these viruses. The vaccines are updated to match the changes in the virus. Getting vaccines every year keeps you healthy and stops the spread of illness.

Vaccines also help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is caused by bacteria that can lead to pneumonia. Stay healthy by getting all your vaccines.

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations:

Everyone 6 months and older: Get a flu and COVID-19 shot every year^*.
Best time for Flu shot: In the fall, before the end of October.
Best time for COVID-19 shot: As soon as the new vaccine is available.
Missed the flu fall shot? Get it as soon as possible if the flu is still spreading.
Safe to get both: Flu and COVID-19 can be given at the same time.

* Some people may need more than one dose of the vaccine.

FLU: The 2024-2025 flu vaccines will protect against three viruses (trivalent): H1N1, H3N2, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. This season’s vaccine compared to last has been updated with a new influenza A(H3N2) virus. The old four-virus (quadrivalent) vaccine is no longer in use because B/Yamagata has not been seen in 3 years.

COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 this fall and winter whether or not they have been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine before. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from manufacturers Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer.

People who are immunocompromised may get one or more COVID vaccine doses after their initial 2024-2025 COVID vaccine. More information can be found here: Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People | COVID-19 | CDC

Flu Vaccine Timeline

For more information, visit ACIP Recommendations Summary | Influenza (Flu) | CDC.

RSV Vaccine/Immunization Recommendations:

Available for Infants, toddlers, pregnant people, and older adults.
Infants and toddlers: Can get Palivizumab (monthly shot) or Nirsevimab. These are not vaccines, but monoclonal antibodies. This means that the immunization works right away because it is not taking time to activate the immune system, but rather provides immediate protection through premade RSV antibodies.
Pregnant people (32-36 weeks): Should get one dose of RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) to protect the infant. NOTE: Infants born 14 or more days after the mother’s vaccination do not need Nirsevimab.
Adults 60 to 74: Are eligible to get a single dose before RSV season starts if they have certain health risks. NOTE: Adults vaccinated during the 2023-24 season do not need an additional dose.
Adults 75 and older: Should get a single dose before RSV season begins. As long as RSV is circulating, eligible adults can be vaccinated. NOTE: Adults vaccinated during the 2023-24 season do not need an additional dose.

RSV Vaccine Timeline

For more information visit: Vaccines for Adults Ages 60 and Over | RSV | CDC

Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations:

Available for toddlers, some children, some adults 19-49, and all adults 50 and older.

Children less than 5: Should receive a vaccine. NOTE: Children with certain health conditions may need additional doses.
Children older than 5: Should receive a vaccine if they have certain health conditions. The number and timing of doses varies based on age.
Adults 19 to 49: Should receive a vaccine if they have certain health conditions.
Adults 50 and older: Should receive a vaccine. Recommendations change based on many factors.
Talk to your doctor: This vaccine comes in multiple types and doses. The right combination varies based on many factors. Work with a doctor to determine appropriate recommendations for you or your family member.

Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines recommended in the United States: