COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for 2025–2026: What U.S. Health Officials Recommend Now

Practical takeaway: For the 2025–2026 respiratory virus season, U.S. health officials recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine for most people and an annual flu shot for everyone 6 months and older. Older adults, pregnant people, young children, and those with chronic health conditions remain at higher risk for severe illness and should make sure they are up to date.

Each fall and winter, COVID-19 and influenza continue to cause hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. While the emergency phase of the pandemic has passed, both viruses still pose meaningful risks—especially for older adults and people with underlying conditions. Here’s what the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) means for everyday readers.

What’s Different About This Season’s COVID-19 Vaccine?

For the 2025–2026 season, the FDA selected an updated COVID-19 vaccine formulation designed to better match currently circulating variants. This update process is similar to how flu vaccines are adjusted each year. The goal is not to eliminate all infections, but to improve protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

According to the CDC, updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for most people ages 6 months and older, with particular emphasis on:

Adults age 65 and older
People with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or obesity
People who are immunocompromised
Pregnant individuals
Residents of long-term care facilities

Clinical trial and real-world data from prior seasons have consistently shown that updated COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes, even when protection against mild infection is more limited. However, effectiveness can vary depending on age, health status, and how closely the vaccine matches circulating variants. That uncertainty is part of why updates are reviewed annually.

Flu Vaccination Remains a Core Recommendation

The CDC continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, ideally before flu activity peaks in the fall or winter. Flu vaccines are reformulated each year to target strains expected to circulate.

Flu can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions, and hospitalization—especially in:

Children under 5 (particularly under 2)
Adults 65 and older
Pregnant people
People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems

In older adults, higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines may be recommended to produce a stronger immune response. Your clinician or pharmacist can help determine the most appropriate option.

Can You Get COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines at the Same Time?

Yes. The CDC states that COVID-19 and flu vaccines may be given during the same visit. For many people, combining appointments is convenient and increases the likelihood of staying up to date.

Some people may experience mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, low-grade fever, or muscle aches. These symptoms are generally short-lived and reflect the immune system responding. Serious side effects are rare, and safety monitoring continues through FDA and CDC systems, including VAERS and other surveillance programs.

What About Access and Insurance Coverage?

Most private insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid cover recommended vaccines without out-of-pocket cost when given by an in-network provider. Pharmacies, primary care offices, community clinics, and some workplaces offer vaccination.

For uninsured adults and children, federal and state programs may provide low- or no-cost options. The CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and local health departments can help families locate services.

Why Staying Up to Date Still Matters

Even though many people now have some immunity from prior infection or vaccination, protection can wane over time. Updated vaccines are designed to boost immune defenses against strains currently circulating in the United States.

For individuals with chronic diseases—including heart disease and diabetes—respiratory infections can trigger complications. Severe viral illness has also been linked to longer-term effects, including prolonged fatigue and breathing difficulties. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of those serious outcomes.

Good oral health may also play a role in overall infection resilience. Gum disease and uncontrolled diabetes are connected, and poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of severe infections. Preventive care—including dental care—remains part of whole-person health.

When to Seek Medical Care

If you develop symptoms such as high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, or dehydration, seek medical care promptly. Antiviral treatments are available for both COVID-19 and influenza and are most effective when started early.

People at higher risk should contact a clinician quickly if they test positive or develop symptoms consistent with either virus.

What This Means for Readers

Vaccination remains one of the most practical tools for reducing severe illness from COVID-19 and influenza. Updated vaccines are not about eliminating all risk—they are about lowering the chance of hospitalization and serious complications, particularly for those most vulnerable.

If you’re unsure whether you’re up to date, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. As with any medical decision, personal health history matters.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early, limited, or subject to change as new evidence emerges. For personal guidance, diagnosis, or treatment, consult a licensed clinician. For current outbreak or public health guidance, follow your local health department, the CDC, or another relevant public health authority.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Guidance
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – COVID-19 Vaccine Strain Selection and Safety Monitoring