What the 2025–2026 CDC Vaccine Recommendations Mean for You and Your Family

Why this matters now

Even though it’s spring, now is the time to understand what to plan for before the fall and winter respiratory virus season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have updated guidance for the 2025–2026 season covering COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The short version for most families:

Plan on a fall flu shot.
Plan on an updated COVID-19 vaccine this season.
If you’re 60 or older—or pregnant—ask about RSV protection.
Most insured Americans will pay $0 out of pocket for these vaccines.

Here’s what that means in practical terms.

How CDC and ACIP decide what’s recommended

ACIP is a panel of independent medical and public health experts that reviews vaccine data and makes recommendations to the CDC. The group looks at:

Randomized clinical trials (the gold standard for testing safety and effectiveness).
Real-world effectiveness studies.
Ongoing safety monitoring systems.
Hospitalization and death trends.

When ACIP votes on recommendations, the CDC director reviews and adopts them. Those recommendations guide doctors, pharmacies, insurers, and public programs nationwide. They can also be updated mid-season if new safety or variant data emerge.

COVID-19: Who should get the 2025–2026 vaccine?

According to current CDC COVID-19 vaccine guidance, everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2025–2026 season, if they are eligible based on timing since their last dose.

For most adults

Most people will need one updated seasonal dose. The goal is to restore protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death as immunity from prior doses or infections wanes.

COVID vaccines are updated to better match currently circulating variants. That match is never perfect, and variants can shift during the season. Even so, updated vaccines consistently reduce the risk of severe outcomes.

For older adults and people who are immunocompromised

Adults 65 and older and some people with weakened immune systems may be advised to receive additional COVID-19 doses during the season, depending on how long it has been since their last shot. These extra doses are intended to maintain stronger protection in higher-risk groups.

If you recently had COVID-19, the CDC generally allows vaccination after recovery, and many people consider waiting about three months after infection. Your clinician can help with timing.

Influenza: Annual vaccination for nearly everyone

The CDC continues to recommend a flu vaccine every year for everyone 6 months and older.

Best timing

For most people in the United States, September or October is ideal. Vaccinating too early (for example, midsummer) may mean protection fades before peak flu activity, which often occurs between December and February.

That said, it is still worthwhile to get vaccinated later if you miss the early fall window.

Adults 65 and older

The CDC preferentially recommends high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines for adults 65 and older when available. Studies show these formulations produce a stronger immune response in older adults and can reduce the risk of severe flu outcomes compared with standard-dose vaccines.

Like COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots do not prevent every infection. Their main benefit is lowering the risk of hospitalization, complications like pneumonia, and death.

RSV: Options for older adults, pregnant people, and infants

RSV can be serious for older adults and young infants. The CDC’s RSV guidance now includes protection strategies for both groups.

Adults 60 and older

RSV vaccination is recommended for:

All adults 75 and older.
Adults 60–74 who have certain risk factors, such as chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or weakened immunity.

For most adults, RSV vaccination is currently considered a one-time dose, not an annual shot. Guidance could change if future data suggest a need for repeat dosing.

Pregnant people and infants

Pregnant people can receive a maternal RSV vaccine during a specific window late in pregnancy (typically 32–36 weeks) to help protect newborns during their first RSV season.

If maternal vaccination was not given, many infants are eligible for nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody that provides passive protection during RSV season.

Families should talk with their pediatrician about which approach applies to their baby.

Can you get COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines at the same visit?

Yes. The CDC states that COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines can generally be given during the same visit, using different injection sites.

You may experience typical short-term side effects such as:

Sore arm
Fatigue
Low-grade fever
Muscle aches

These usually resolve within a few days. Spacing vaccines by a week or two is also acceptable if someone prefers to separate them for comfort.

What will it cost?

For most Americans, cost should not be a barrier.

Private insurance

Under the Affordable Care Act, most private health plans must cover ACIP-recommended vaccines without cost-sharing when given by an in-network provider.

Medicare

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):

Medicare Part B covers flu, COVID-19, and certain other vaccines at no cost.
Medicare Part D now covers all ACIP-recommended adult vaccines, including RSV and shingles, without cost-sharing.

Medicaid

Medicaid programs are required to cover ACIP-recommended vaccines for most adults without cost-sharing, though details can vary slightly by state.

Vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, primary care offices, community clinics, and local health departments.

What remains uncertain

Vaccine recommendations are based on the best available data, but some uncertainties remain:

COVID-19 variants: The virus continues to evolve. Updated vaccines are designed to broaden protection, but exact variant match may vary.
Duration of protection: For COVID-19 and RSV, researchers are still studying how long strong protection lasts, especially in older adults.
Future dosing schedules: Additional COVID-19 or RSV doses could be recommended if evidence changes.

ACIP reviews new evidence regularly and can revise guidance during the season if needed.

What this means for you

Most people should plan for a fall flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Adults 60+—especially 75+—should discuss RSV vaccination with their clinician.
Pregnant people should ask about maternal RSV vaccination to protect their newborn.
It is generally safe and convenient to receive recommended vaccines at the same visit.
Most insured Americans will not pay out of pocket.

If you have a chronic condition, are caring for an older family member, are pregnant, or have a newborn at home, it’s worth checking in with your clinician or pharmacist now to plan ahead for the 2025–2026 season.

Vaccines are not perfect shields against infection. Their strongest benefit is preventing severe illness and keeping people out of the hospital. For many families, that protection makes a meaningful difference each winter.

Sources

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.