What to Know About Respiratory Virus Vaccines This Season: Flu, COVID-19, and RSV

Practical takeaway: For most people in the United States, staying up to date on seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines—and knowing whether you or a loved one qualifies for an RSV vaccine—remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and missed work or school.

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate nationwide each year, especially during the fall and winter months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 for most people, with additional guidance for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults and certain infants.

Here’s what that means for families, caregivers, and community members right now.

Flu Vaccination: Still Recommended for Most People

The CDC continues to recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Flu viruses change over time, and each year’s vaccine is updated to better match the strains expected to circulate.

Flu vaccination is especially important for:

Adults 65 and older
Children younger than 5 (especially under 2)
Pregnant people
People with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or obesity
Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities

According to the CDC, flu vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and flu-related complications. It does not eliminate the risk entirely, but it can make illness milder if you do get infected.

What this means for families: Even healthy adults can spread flu to infants, older relatives, or people with weakened immune systems. Household vaccination helps protect those at higher risk.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Updated Doses and Staying Current

COVID-19 continues to circulate in the United States, with periodic increases in cases. The CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, which may include updated formulations designed to target currently circulating variants.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes updated COVID-19 vaccines based on available safety and effectiveness data. These updated vaccines are intended to improve protection against severe disease caused by newer variants.

Groups at higher risk for severe COVID-19 include:

Adults 65 and older
People with underlying medical conditions
Pregnant individuals
People who are immunocompromised

For these groups, staying current with recommended doses is particularly important. The CDC notes that vaccination continues to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death, even if it does not completely prevent infection.

Access and cost: Most private insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid cover recommended COVID-19 vaccines. For people without insurance, federal and state programs may offer low- or no-cost options through pharmacies and community clinics.

RSV: Newer Options for Older Adults and Infants

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can be serious for infants and older adults. In recent years, the FDA approved vaccines for adults 60 and older and preventive antibody products for certain infants.

The CDC recommends RSV vaccination for adults 60 and older based on shared clinical decision-making, with stronger emphasis for those at higher risk, such as people with chronic heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems.

For infants, preventive options may include maternal vaccination during pregnancy or a long-acting monoclonal antibody given to eligible babies, depending on timing and risk factors.

What this means for caregivers: If you care for an infant, an older parent, or someone with chronic illness, ask a healthcare provider whether RSV prevention is appropriate this season.

How These Vaccines Work Together

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV are different viruses, but they can circulate at the same time. Co-infections—having more than one virus at once—can occur, particularly in older adults and young children.

The CDC states that flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given during the same visit in many cases. This can simplify scheduling and improve protection before virus activity increases.

While vaccines do not guarantee you won’t get sick, they significantly lower the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and complications, especially for high-risk groups.

Symptoms to Watch For

Respiratory virus symptoms often overlap and may include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Fatigue
Shortness of breath (more concerning, especially in older adults or infants)

Seek medical care promptly if someone has trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, signs of dehydration, or if an infant has difficulty feeding or unusual lethargy.

Prevention Beyond Vaccination

Vaccination is a central prevention strategy, but it is not the only one. The CDC continues to recommend:

Staying home when sick
Washing hands regularly
Improving indoor ventilation when possible
Testing for COVID-19 when appropriate
Wearing a mask in high-risk settings if you are vulnerable or caring for someone at high risk

These steps are particularly important in households with older adults, infants, or people with chronic health conditions.

What We Still Don’t Know

Respiratory virus patterns can vary from year to year. The exact timing and severity of flu, COVID-19, and RSV waves are not fully predictable. Vaccine effectiveness can also vary depending on how closely vaccines match circulating strains.

Public health agencies continue to monitor virus activity, hospitalizations, and emerging variants. Recommendations may evolve based on new data.

What This Means for Readers

If you haven’t reviewed your vaccination status this season, now is a good time to do so. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about:

Whether you are up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines
Whether you qualify for RSV vaccination or infant prevention options
Any medical conditions that may increase your risk

For families, protecting the most vulnerable members—older relatives, infants, and people with chronic illness—often starts with individual decisions about vaccination and everyday prevention.

Clear, evidence-based information from trusted public health sources can help you make informed choices for yourself and your community.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Guidance
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – RSV Prevention Guidance
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Vaccine Authorizations and Updates