Covid-19, flu, RSV: Here are the vaccine recommendations for fall—and the best time to get them (2024)

Winter is coming, and with it updated versions of the vaccines we'll need to bolster up our immune systems against illness.

"There are going to be three vaccines people need to consider, depending on their age and situation," says Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Utah and director of hospital epidemiology at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital.

As always, doctors suggest getting your flu shot this year. But there's also a new Covid vaccine, which was recommended for everyone aged six months and older by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, that could benefit you as the temperature drops as well.

"The third is the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine. It's the newest, in many ways, it's the most exciting because we haven't been able to do anything about protecting either adults or most young infants from RSV," Pavia tells CNBC Make It.

Here's what you should know about each vaccine as we prepare for a possible "tripledemic" this fall and winter.

Here's what you need to know about the vaccines experts recommend for fall, winter

1. The flu shot

"For everyone, you need to think about influenza vaccines. It's recommended for everyone six months and older," says Pavia. "There's a real benefit to anyone of any age."

Groups that are most at-risk of severe complications from the flu, according to the CDC, include:

  • Children under the age of five, especially ages two and younger
  • People aged 65 and older
  • Those with certain medical conditions like diabetes, asthma and heart disease
  • Pregnant people

"But even for people with none of those risk factors, you can end up quite ill with influenza, and there's really no rhyme or reason who ends up in the ICU versus who has a mild case," he adds.

When should you get your flu vaccine? Pavia suggests getting your flu shot between early September and late October. "You're fine to get your vaccine in early September, [but] waiting until October may give you a little more protection against the late flu season," he adds.

How much will it cost? The costs of flu shots are typically covered by most insurance companies, and are often administered for free through many community programs, says Pavia.

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2. Updated Covid vaccines

On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the new Covid vaccine, which will target a variant of Omicron called XBB.1.5. The CDC must approve the vaccines before they can be distributed to the public, but the Biden administration said in August that the shots are expected to be available by mid-September, CNBC reports.

"You could call it a new booster, but now as we move into the annual update cycle, it's just the appropriate vaccine for this year," Pavia tells CNBC Make It.

Similar to the flu shot, we're shifting into a phase where we can expect updated Covid vaccines every year for protection against anticipated surges of the virus in the winter.

"The updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against COVID-19 from the currently circulating variants," the FDA wrote in a release on Monday.

When should you get your updated Covid vaccine? You should aim to get the new Covid shot in the early fall, unless you've gotten a booster shot recently or had Covid not too long ago. If you've gotten a booster shot or had Covid recently, you should wait for two to three months before getting the updated Covid vaccine, says Pavia.

How much will it cost? Now that the updated Covid vaccine is recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), it will likely be covered by insurance. "But it's no longer going to be a government vaccine given for free," says Pavia. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a program that helps uninsured or underinsured Americans get access to Covid vaccines for free, he adds.

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3. The new RSV vaccine

Respiratory syncytial virus is a "common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms," according to the CDC. Infants and adults 60 and older are most at risk for severe outcomes from RSV, the agency noted.

Babies aged 8 months and younger are strongly recommended to receive an RSV immunization, but some older babies may also have a higher risk of complications from the virus, the CDC said.

Older adults, and people with heart and lung disease, should also consider getting the RSV vaccine, says Pavia.

When should you get the RSV vaccine? RSV season usually starts in October, says Pavia, and it's best to receive the vaccine as soon as it's available for the most protection.

How much will it cost? "Because the ACIP gave a softer recommendation to the RSV vaccine, coverage is going to be variable," says Pavia.

For those with certain Medicare plans, the RSV vaccine should be covered, specifically under a Part D plan. If you don't have drug coverage, you could have a substantial co-pay for it, he adds. Some people over the age of 60 have been met with bills of more than $300 for their RSV vaccines, according to The New York Times.

"Private insurance could cover it, but they're not legally required to do it for 12 months. So your insurance company might or might not cover it," Pavia says.

As a disclaimer, the CDC says it is safe to get your flu shot and Covid vaccines at the same time, but guidance hasn't been shared yet about if it's recommended to get your RSV vaccine alongside the other two shots.

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Covid-19, flu, RSV: Here are the vaccine recommendations for fall—and the best time to get them (2024)

FAQs

When should you get the RSV vaccine? ›

Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV usually starts to spread in the community.

When will the RSV vaccine be available? ›

Abrysvo, an RSV vaccine for pregnant women for protection of their infants, was registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in March 2024.

What is the updated 2024 2025 COVID vaccine recommendation? ›

The recommendation states that everyone 6 months of age and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine during the fall/winter of 2024/2025. Updated vaccines with JN. 1-specific antigens will be available from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax later this year, likely beginning in September.

When will the latest COVID vaccine be available? ›

The new 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines will come out in August and September, and health experts hope a much higher percentage of Americans will decide to get an annual COVID-19 vaccine this fall and winter than did last year since vaccines protect well against hospitalization and death.

When is the RSV season? ›

Some people, particularly infants and older adults, are more likely to develop severe RSV disease and need hospitalization. RSV is seasonal, typically starting in the U.S. during the fall and peaking in the winter.

Should everyone over 60 get the RSV vaccine? ›

CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccines for: All adults ages 75 and older. Adults ages 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.

Why was the RSV vaccine discontinued? ›

While the vaccine was shown to reduce the risk of babies contracting RSV, they stopped enrollment in the trial early due to the safety concerns, researchers recount in an analysis published March 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Can adults get RSV? ›

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus can also infect adults. In adults and older, healthy children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) symptoms are mild and typically mimic the common cold. Self-care measures are usually all that's needed to relieve any discomfort.

What is the new vaccine for seniors? ›

Health Canada has authorized two new vaccines to protects older adults from RSV: RSVPreF3 (AREXVY, GSK) was authorized on August 4, 2023, to protect adults 60 years of age and older. RSVpreF (ABRYSVOTM, Pfizer) was authorized on December 21, 2023, to protect adults 60 years of age and older.

How long does the COVID vaccine last? ›

How long does the COVID vaccine last? Studies suggest COVID vaccines are most effective in the first few months following your shot. That's why when health experts recommend boosters or updated doses, they're usually given three to four months after your last COVID shot.

How many doses of COVID vaccine should I have? ›

Everyone aged 5 years and older ‡ should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. Children aged 6 months–4 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.

What are the latest COVID symptoms in 2024? ›

Symptoms of COVID-19
  • feeling tired or exhausted.
  • an aching body.
  • a headache.
  • a sore throat.
  • a blocked or runny nose.
  • loss of appetite.
  • diarrhoea.
  • feeling sick or being sick.

What is the new strain of COVID-19 in 2024? ›

An additional rapidly emerging variant, KP.3, is believed to have similar virological and epidemiological characteristics to KP.2. A third emerging variant, LB.1, is also a "FLiRT" variant. Its rapid increase since early June 2024 indicates that it may overtake KP.3 as the dominant variant in the future.

How often should I have a COVID booster? ›

If you have had your primary vaccination course and you're aged: 75 years or older, you're recommended further doses of COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months. 18 – 74 years with severe immunocompromise, you're recommended further doses of COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months.

What are the side effects of the COVID booster 2024? ›

More common
  • Chills.
  • difficulty in moving.
  • headache.
  • joint pain.
  • muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness.
  • nausea.
  • swollen joints.
  • unusual tiredness or weakness.
May 1, 2024

How long does RSV immunity last? ›

According to a 2021 review of studies, your risk of getting RSV again after an initial infection is about 70% lower within the first 6 months. Research suggests that your body starts to have an immune response to RSV within 5 to 10 days . That protection lasts anywhere from 3 to 12 months before it starts to decline.

Is the new RSV vaccine safe? ›

In clinical trials, the RSV vaccines and passive immunization (monoclonal antibody product) were shown to be safe and effective at preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD). Vaccines and monoclonal antibody products, like any medicine, can have side effects.

When did the RSV vaccine come out for adults? ›

In May 2023, Arexvy was approved for adults aged 60 and older, making it the first FDA-approved RSV vaccine. In May 2023, the FDA's expert panel unanimously recommended Abrysvo for approval in pregnant women.

When should I take my child in for RSV? ›

Some children with RSV may be at increased risk of developing a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection. Call your doctor if your child has: Symptoms that worsen or do not start to improve after 7 days. A fever (with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher) and they are younger than 3 months of age (12 weeks).

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