Fall Vaccine Guidance Issued
States Issue Fall Respiratory Vaccine Guidance Ahead of Upcoming Respiratory-Virus Season
Anonymous
Health officials are urging people to prepare for the 2026–27 respiratory-virus season by getting vaccinated against flu, COVID-19 and, for eligible groups, RSV. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, with most people advised to get the shot in September or October; vaccination remains available later in the season. Updated guidance says current U.S. flu vaccines are trivalent, while children receiving flu vaccination for the first time may need two doses and pregnant people should avoid the live-virus nasal spray. RSV recommendations vary by age and risk, generally covering older adults, high-risk adults, certain children and infants without maternal protection. Maryland and Illinois have issued state-specific guidance, with Maryland requiring state-regulated insurers to cover recommended vaccines without out-of-pocket costs, while local health officials emphasize vaccination as protection against severe illness and strain on hospitals.
Key Points
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A new mRNA flu vaccine is available for adults ages 50 to 64; FDA data cited by Dr. Kisha Gordon indicated it was at least 25% more effective for that age group than traditional vaccines. Adults 65 and older are still advised to use a traditional high-dose flu vaccine when possible.
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The CDC’s interim guidance says people with egg allergies may receive any age- and health-appropriate flu vaccine without safety precautions beyond those recommended for all vaccine recipients.
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Maryland’s VaxAct law allows pharmacists to vaccinate anyone age 3 or older without a prescription, in addition to requiring state-regulated insurers to cover state-recommended immunizations without out-of-pocket costs.
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Illinois extended its maternal RSV vaccination window to September through March 1 for pregnant people at 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy who have not previously been vaccinated.
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Maryland reported more than 8,000 hospitalizations for laboratory-confirmed flu during the 2024–25 flu season, underscoring the scale of illness state health officials are seeking to reduce through vaccination.
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