KFOR-TV: Fall Is Vaccine Season: What Seniors Need to Know
Fall is the perfect time to catch up on the vaccines seniors need to stay healthy and protected through the winter.
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With fall right around the corner, cooler temperatures, changing leaves and pumpkin spice everything are about to return. So is flu season. If you’re 65 or older, now is a good time to check your vaccines – because there’s more to the fall vaccine lineup than just the flu shot.
Start with flu
Flu can be especially serious for older adults. As we age, our immune systems don’t respond as strongly to infections, which is one reason people 65 and older account for most flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults 65 and older get one of three enhanced flu vaccines instead of a standard-dose shot: Fluzone High-Dose, Fluad or Flublok.
All three are designed to produce a stronger immune response in older adults, and studies haven’t shown one to be consistently better than the others. So there’s no need to track down a particular brand. Get whichever of these enhanced vaccines is available.
There’s also a new option for the 2026-27 flu season. Moderna’s mFLUSIVA is the first mRNA flu vaccine authorized in the United States. It is approved for adults ages 50 to 64 and has received accelerated approval for those 65 and older, pending additional study results. For now, adults 65 and older should continue following CDC recommendations and choose one of the three enhanced vaccines whenever possible.
September or October is generally the best time to get your flu shot. But if you miss that window, don’t skip it. A flu shot in November or later can still provide valuable protection.
Medicare Part B covers one flu shot each flu season at no cost when given by a Medicare-participating doctor, clinic or pharmacy.
Check the rest
While you’re getting your flu shot, take a minute to see whether you’re due for other vaccines, too.
RSV: The CDC recommends a one-time RSV vaccine for everyone 75 and older, as well as adults ages 50 through 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV illness. Medicare Part D covers RSV vaccines.
Pneumonia: Adults 50 and older who haven’t received a pneumococcal vaccine should ask about getting protected against serious pneumococcal disease. The preferred options are Prevnar 20 (PCV20) or Capvaxive (PCV21). Most people need only one dose, and Medicare Part B covers these vaccines.
Shingles: If you haven’t had Shingrix, put it on your list. The two-dose vaccine is more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and the painful nerve complications that can follow. Medicare Part D covers both doses.
COVID-19: Recommendations have become more individualized, but older adults remain at higher risk for serious illness. Ask your healthcare provider whether an updated COVID-19 vaccine is appropriate for you. Medicare Part B covers COVID-19 vaccines.
One trip, several shots
You generally don’t need to make separate trips for each vaccine. Flu, RSV, COVID-19 and other recommended vaccines can usually be given during the same visit. If you’re concerned about temporary side effects such as fatigue, muscle aches or a sore arm, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist whether spacing them out makes sense.
To find pharmacies and other providers offering vaccines near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
Fall is a good time to review your vaccination record and talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any shots you may need. Staying up to date can help reduce your risk of serious illness and keep you healthier through the months ahead.