October is generally considered the start of the respiratory virus season. Influenza, COVID, and RSV make thousands of Minnesotans miserable each year. Sadly, people with underlying illnesses—children and adults—still die from these infections. Another year’s experience with the flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines has continued to show them to be safe and effective at preventing serious illness. Professor Rebecca Wurtz from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shares her expertise on why these vaccines are so important, and when is the best time to get vaccinated this year.

Q: There’s been a lot of turmoil in vaccine recommendations in the last year. How should Minnesotans proceed in the absence of traditional recommendations for influenza, RSV, and COVID vaccinations? 

Prof. Wurtz: Rather than updating this year’s influenza recommendation, the CDC decided to reissue last year’s (2025-2026)  guidance: Everyone 6 months and older should get the seasonal flu shot. A consortium of medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Medical Association all endorsed the same recommendation: The flu shot is safe,  effective, and recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

Although the CDC’s recommendations haven’t been updated, the vaccine itself has, reflecting the flu viruses that are predicted to be most common during the coming flu season.  In addition, there is an mRNA flu vaccine for the first time (see below).

The CDC hasn’t commented on the COVID or the RSV vaccine for this season; last year’s guidance still appears on their website. In 2025, they recommended an annual dose of the COVID vaccine “based on individual decision-making” for everyone 6 months of age and older. The consortium of medical associations mentioned above has sponsored a website, SpreadThe Facts.org, where they recommend COVID vaccination this fall for the following individuals:

• Adults 19 and older. The consortium emphasized adults 65 and older should get vaccinated every six months
• Children ages 6 to 23 months. They focused on this age range because starting at 6 months, children have lost the immunity provided by their mothers but haven’t developed complete immune systems on their own.
• Children from 2 through 18 who have underlying conditions which may make COVID more severe  or whose parents want them protected.
• Anyone who is pregnant or nursing, or planning a pregnancy.

The FDA has approved four updated COVID vaccines for the 2026-2027 winter virus season. Although the FDA has approved the new COVID vaccines, the federal government has not decided whether it will make them available through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program, which provides vaccines for underinsured kids and kids on Medicaid or in the Child Health Insurance Program. VFC provides vaccines for about half of American kids.

Q: The RSV vaccine is relatively new. What do I need to know about it?

Prof. Wurtz: RSV infection feels like the common cold in most people. However, infants and older people are especially prone to developing serious pneumonia. RSV was the most common cause of hospitalization of infants prior to the introduction of the vaccine in 2023. To protect infants, obstetricians and pediatricians work together to recommend the RSV shot to pregnant mothers and women planning to get pregnant. In that way, newborns get anti-RSV antibodies transferred from their mom.

RSV vaccine is recommended for 

• Newborns whose moms weren’t vaccinated prior to delivery.
• Children 8 months to 19 months with underlying conditions which can make RSV infections more dangerous (including heart, lung, and neurologic conditions), even if their mom got it before birth or if they got it at birth.
• Adults aged 50 to 74 with underlying diseases (including lung and heart conditions) that make them at higher risk of serious RSV infections.
• All adults 75 and older should get the vaccine. For adults, the RSV shot is a one time deal–it provides immunity for life.

The medical association consortium’s Spread the Facts has created a great infographic about all three vaccines–flu, COVID, and RSV,  available here.

Q: When is the best time to get these shots?

Prof. Wurtz: The best time for the flu shot is before the start of the winter respiratory virus season—ideally, in the last weeks of September or early in October. But it’s never too late to get it during the flu season.

The same is true for the COVID shot: it is best to get it at the start of the respiratory virus winter season. People older than 65 and those at higher risk should consider getting the COVID shot twice a year: before respiratory virus season and again about six months later.

The RSV shot is a one time shot for adults (pregnant women, older folks). They can get the shot any time of year, but should certainly have it before the onset of winter colds and flu. And yes, you can get all three shots (flu, COVID, and RSV) at the same appointment.

Q: Can I get the  COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu shot? 

Prof. Wurtz: That’s a great time to get the COVID shot, because you are already at your provider’s office or the pharmacy. Don’t forget RSV if you haven’t gotten it before.

Q: What should parents consider when deciding about these vaccines for their kids?

Prof. Wurtz: Influenza is often spread in school. Making sure the whole household–anyone older than 6 months—is vaccinated protects children at school, the rest of the family when the kids come home, and older relatives and friends when they visit. And we all have experienced important family events which had to be cancelled because someone came down with the flu or COVID.

These vaccines are safe and reliable and covered by most private insurance and Medicare. Whether the COVID vaccine will be covered by VFC is still up in the air.

Q: What’s new this year?

Prof. Wurtz: The FDA approved the first mRNA vaccine for flu for adults aged 50 years and older this year. Historically, most flu shots have been made using an egg-based manufacturing process. The new vaccine uses the same technology as the mRNA-based COVID vaccines. In clinical trials, it was more effective than the egg-based vaccine and just as safe.

The new(er) kid on the block is the RSV vaccine. Please see the Q&A above with more details about that disease and that shot. In the three years that the vaccine has been available, it has been proven to be safe and effective.

New research also highlights the importance of flu vaccination for people with autism. A recent report on life expectancy for people with autism showed that their life expectancy is on average 14 years less than for people without autism. Influenza was a common cause of death in this population. Autism should be included in the list of conditions that make people more vulnerable to serious influenza infections and is another reason to get vaccinated for the flu. Although there are no data on COVID severity in people with autism, it likely is also more serious in the population as well.

Q: What about pregnant women?

Prof. Wurtz: It’s important for pregnant women to get vaccinated against the flu, COVID, and RSV for two reasons. Respiratory infections can be more serious in pregnant women and because moms pass protective antibodies to their newborns. Those antibodies last about 6 months. After that age, babies’ immune systems are starting to gain strength. Also at 6 months, babies are eligible for the flu shot and for the COVID and RSV shots if indicated.

These vaccines have been shown to be safe for pregnant women time and time again.

Q: What is new about Long COVID? Does vaccination help? 

Prof. Wurtz: Long COVID has proven to be the most common serious and mysterious long-term consequence of COVID infection. Long COVID can last for months or longer, and occurs in somewhere between 10% and 30% of people following COVID infection. The range is so broad because Long COVID is still poorly defined. The condition can include symptoms such as extreme fatigue, generalized muscle aches, cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”), headache, postural hypotension, and many more. There are no specific treatments. The condition can be devastating for those who are severely affected.

Being up-to-date on COVID vaccinations makes developing Long COVID after a COVID infection less likely and less severe if it occurs.

Minimizing my chance of getting Long COVID is one of the main reasons I get my COVID vaccine updated regularly.

Rebecca Wurtz is an infectious disease physician, public health informaticist and professor in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Just like some people check sports scores, she checks the flu stats at the CDC’s version of ESPN, FluView.

About the School of Public Health
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and well-being of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today’s biggest health challenges. We prepare some of the most influential leaders in the field, and partner with health departments, communities, and policymakers to advance health equity for all. Learn more at sph.umn.edu.