As the US heads into the fall and winter respiratory-virus season, doctors and major medical organizations are stepping in to provide vaccine guidance amid a quieter-than-usual role from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
With children returning to school and viruses such as influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) expected to circulate, health experts are urging people to understand which vaccines are recommended and when they should receive them.
The American Medical Association and the University of Minnesota’s Vaccine Integrity Project have conducted independent reviews of the 2026-27 vaccines for flu, Covid-19 and RSV. Their findings helped inform new recommendations from several leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Infectious Diseases Society of America.
RSV Vaccines: Who Should Get Protected?
RSV immunization is recommended for several groups, including older adults, pregnant people and certain infants.
Adults aged 75 and older, as well as people aged 50 and above with certain high-risk medical conditions, are advised to receive one dose. Unlike the flu shot, RSV vaccination is not generally an annual vaccine.
Pregnant people are advised to receive the maternal RSV vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy. The vaccination can also provide protection to newborns through antibodies passed from the mother.
Infants younger than 8 months may receive an RSV monoclonal antibody during the RSV season if maternal vaccination did not provide protection. Certain high-risk children between 8 and 19 months may also qualify.
Flu Shot Recommended for Everyone 6 Months and Older
Doctors continue to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.
Health experts say flu vaccination can significantly lower the risk of medical visits and serious complications. Adults aged 65 and older are encouraged to receive an enhanced vaccine, including a high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant option when available.
The 2026-27 season also brings a new development: an mRNA-based flu vaccine has been approved for adults aged 50 and older.
Pregnant people are also encouraged to receive a flu vaccine. However, health professionals recommend avoiding the nasal-spray version during pregnancy and instead using an inactivated or recombinant vaccine.
October is generally considered an ideal month for getting the annual flu shot, helping provide protection during the peak respiratory-virus season.
Updated Covid-19 Vaccines
Updated Covid-19 vaccines are also becoming available for the new season. Health professionals are encouraging adults to discuss vaccination with their healthcare providers, particularly those at higher risk of severe illness.
The recommendations come as federal vaccine guidance has changed from previous years, creating uncertainty for some patients and families.
Doctors Warn Against a Vaccination Information Gap
Medical experts say the absence of a strong federal vaccination campaign should not prevent people from accessing reliable, evidence-based information.
Dr. Bruce Gellin of the Vaccine Integrity Project said the need for expert vaccine guidance remains even as the traditional federal process has changed.
Doctors emphasize that influenza, Covid-19 and RSV will continue to pose risks during the fall and winter months, particularly for older adults, pregnant people, young children and those with underlying health conditions.
Vaccines remain an important tool for reducing serious illness, hospitalizations and complications. Health experts recommend that individuals speak with their doctors or pharmacists to determine which vaccinations are appropriate for them this season.
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