Fall Vaccine Update: What You Need to Know

As fall approaches, it’s essential to update flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, especially for older adults. Both vaccines are newly formulated to combat evolving virus strains, providing significant protection. Additionally, the RSV vaccine is highly recommended for seniors and vulnerable groups. The CDC emphasizes the urgency of getting vaccinated to prevent severe illness.

Fall means it's time for just about everybody to get up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines – and many older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV.

Yes, you can get your flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time. Don't call them boosters — they're not just another dose of last year's protection. The coronavirus and influenza are escape artists that constantly mutate to evade your body's immune defenses, so both vaccines are reformulated annually to target newer strains.

"Right now is the best time" to get all the recommended fall vaccinations, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She got her flu shot Wednesday and has an appointment for her COVID-19 shot, too. It's "the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, your community." While they're not perfect, vaccinations offer substantial protection against a bad case of flu or COVID-19 — or dying from it.

(With inputs from agencies.)