Doctors outline recommended vaccines for upcoming respiratory virus season

The CDC’s annual outlook expects the 2026-27 respiratory virus season to produce hospitalisation levels similar to the previous year for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. Public-health experts say vaccination remains the primary preventive measure.

The agency recommends an annual flu shot for anyone six months old and older. Standard inactivated vaccines are available for all ages, while high-dose or adjuvanted formulations are reserved for adults 65 and older. A recombinant vaccine for those 9 and older and a nasal spray for children 2-49 without certain medical conditions are also offered. In August, the FDA approved Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older. Health professionals suggest receiving the flu vaccine by the end of October, though later administration is acceptable if the vaccine is still valid.

COVID-19 vaccination is advised for all adults and for children 6 months to 17 years who have underlying risk factors. The 2026-27 COVID-19 boosters target the XFG recombinant Omicron strain. Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines are authorized for various age groups, and Novavax’s protein-based vaccine is available for those 12 and older. Physicians note that flu and COVID-19 shots can be given at the same visit, or spaced a week apart if preferred.

RSV immunisation is directed toward adults 75 and older, adults 50-74 with heightened risk, and pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. The vaccine requires a single dose. For infants under eight months whose mothers did not receive a maternal RSV vaccine, two monoclonal-antibody injections are recommended, with a limited number of young children (8-19 months) also eligible.

"All the injectable influenza vaccines, they don't have the live virus, it only contains parts of the virus, so it doesn't cause influenza," said Dr. Majd Alsoubani, an infectious-disease physician at Tufts Medical Center.

"I recommend to my patients just get it at the same time, or if you don't want to get both at the same time, get [the COVID vaccine] a week apart from the flu vaccine," added Dr. Michael Angarone of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.