Flu Shot 2026: Which Fall Vaccines to Get and When

Which fall shots does your family need?

You search for flu shot 2026 and expect one clear answer. Instead, you find three. A pharmacy sign says one thing. Your child’s pediatrician says another. The news says the CDC and medical groups disagree.

That is a lot to sort out if you have a toddler, a pregnancy, or a parent over 75. Timing adds pressure too. The CDC says vaccinating before the end of October is ideal, though a later shot still offers protection. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that flu season starts near the end of October.

This guide puts the advice side by side. You will see where the groups agree, where they differ, and what to ask at your next visit.

Flu shot 2026: who needs which vaccine this fall?

The American Medical Association and major specialty groups all recommend a flu shot for everyone 6 months and older. The CDC also recommends one for most people in that age range, ideally by the end of October. COVID and RSV shots depend on age and risk. For toddlers, the AAP and the CDC give different COVID advice, covered below.

The table draws on guidance from the CDC, the AAP, ACOG and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Details for each group follow.

Who this guide is for: parents of babies, toddlers and school-age children, pregnant people, adults 50 and older, and caregivers who search for a relative. It shares general information from named health groups. It is not medical advice, so check your own situation with a clinician.

Why does this year’s advice look so confusing?

Two sets of advice now exist, and they differ on COVID shots for young children. That is the core of the confusion.

In a typical year, the CDC’s advisory committee, known as ACIP, sets one schedule for everyone. This year, the CDC has not issued fresh advice for the 2026-27 respiratory season. The AAMC reports that ACIP has been sidelined by litigation over its membership and childhood vaccine changes. As a result, the CDC’s interim flu guidance says its July 2025 recommendations stay in effect, according to Immunize.org.

Medical groups stepped in. The American Medical Association, family physicians, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists and OB-GYNs all recommend a flu shot for everyone 6 months and older, a Scripps News roundup reports. On COVID, several of these groups go further than the CDC for young children. The CDC tells parents of children under 18 to consult their doctor. These groups say children 6 to 23 months should get the vaccine.

There is one more wrinkle. In January 2026, the CDC moved several children’s vaccines, including flu, to shared decision-making. A federal court paused that change in March 2026, so the earlier schedule is back in effect, and the CDC says its July 2025 flu recommendations still apply. The government has appealed, and mid-October reports said the appeal was still pending. The CDC’s COVID guidance for children stays at shared decision-making. The AAP disagrees with the January changes and recommends flu shots for all children 6 months and older.

Why this matters right now

Flu season is close. Johns Hopkins Medicine says it starts near the end of October, and the AAMC notes that flu showed up early this year. RSV timing has shifted too. ACOG’s chief medical officer said in CNN’s coverage that RSV season now runs later and hits harder than it used to. Shots take about two weeks to work, so waiting for the debate to settle costs protection.

Takeaway: Different labels do not always mean different next steps. For most families, the next step is the same: a short, planned talk with the doctor.

When should I get my flu shot in 2026?

September or October is ideal, but a later shot still helps. The CDC says vaccination before the end of October is best for most people. Johns Hopkins Medicine adds that it is never too late during the season. The shot takes about two weeks to work, and flu activity tends to peak between December and February. It can last into May.

That is why the Halloween tip is so common. Dr. Steve Feagins, medical director of Hamilton County Public Health in Ohio, told Spectrum News that a shot before Halloween helps protection arrive by Thanksgiving. He also said the vaccine is no guarantee. Still, it can lower the odds of a severe case.

How many flu doses do children need?

The CDC says children 6 months through 8 years get one or two doses. Children 9 and older get one, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. Your pediatrician can tell you which applies to your child.

Which flu vaccine should I ask for?

• Ages 65 and older: the CDC prefers a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted vaccine.
• Ages 50 and older: a new mRNA flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, is available. The National Council on Aging says supply varies by pharmacy. Immunize.org notes that the CDC’s September 1 interim guidance does not mention it. A Forum Extended Care Services summary says the AAFP’s list includes it.
• Ages 2 to 49: a nasal spray is an option for some people. Ask your clinician if it fits.
• Egg allergy: the CDC says any age-appropriate flu vaccine can be used, according to a summary from the American Health Care Association.

COVID vaccine for toddlers 2026: what do the CDC and AAP say?

The CDC suggests parents talk with a doctor, while the AAP recommends the vaccine for every child 6 to 23 months. Both say children with weakened immune systems should get it, and both say any child 6 months and older can receive it.

Why does the AAP stress the youngest group?

The AAP says infants and toddlers 6 to 23 months face a high risk of severe COVID. Contemporary Pediatrics reports that, in the AAP’s analysis, this group’s hospital and death burden rivals or exceeds that of adults in their 60s and 70s. The same report notes that weekly hospital rates for children overall have fallen for several years.

The CDC weighs the same trade-off differently. Its guidance says the balance of benefits and risks is most favorable for children at increased risk and lowest for those who are not. So healthy toddlers land in the “talk it through” group.

What does shared decision-making mean?

It is a conversation between a parent and a clinician about benefits and risks. The Public Health Communications Collaborative says it does not require a separate appointment. It also notes that some states may require it before a child can get the shot.

Which COVID vaccine can a toddler get?

Moderna’s Spikevax is the product listed for ages 6 months and up. Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty starts at age 5, according to MDSpire News’s summary of the CDC list. So call ahead and ask whether your clinic stocks the right product for your child’s age.

Takeaway: “Talk to your doctor” can be a first step, and the talk can happen at your next routine visit.

Who should get the RSV vaccine this year?

Adults 75 and older, some adults 50 to 74, and pregnant people in weeks 32 to 36 are the main groups. Babies get protection another way, with an antibody shot.

RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus. It often feels like a cold. Still, ACOG says it can be serious for babies and young children, and it is the most common reason babies are hospitalized in the United States.

RSV vaccine for adults 50 and older

The American Lung Association estimates that RSV causes 110,000 to 180,000 US hospital stays a year among adults 50 and older.

• Who: one dose for all adults 75 and older. Adults 50 to 74 get one dose if they face higher risk, such as certain health conditions, frailty or life in a care facility, per Immunize.org.
• Which vaccine: Arexvy, Abrysvo or mResvia, according to a Wisconsin health department letter.
• How often: once. RSV vaccine is not an annual shot.
• When: the CDC says late summer or early fall is best, but any time works, per the AAMC.

RSV vaccine in pregnancy

ACOG recommends one dose of Abrysvo at weeks 32 to 36. It is the only RSV vaccine approved in pregnancy. This year ACOG extended the window to September 1 through March 1, up from January 31. ACOG’s chief medical officer said RSV season is now later and more severe than it used to be.

Side effects are usually mild, ACOG says. They include pain where the shot went in, headache, muscle pain and nausea. If the vaccine is not given in pregnancy, the baby should get an antibody at birth, either clesrovimab or nirsevimab. In a later pregnancy, ACOG says the next baby gets the antibody instead of the mother getting another vaccine.

RSV protection for babies and toddlers

AAP president Dr. Andrew Racine told CNN that children younger than 8 months should get an RSV antibody unless the mother was vaccinated in pregnancy. The antibody is usually given from October through March. The Wisconsin letter adds that the CDC does not currently recommend nirsevimab for anyone 20 months or older.

Takeaway: RSV is a timing story as much as a who story. The pregnancy window now runs longer, and older adults need only one dose.

Can I get flu and COVID shots at the same time?

Yes. The CDC says flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines may be given at the same visit for people who are eligible. Johns Hopkins Medicine agrees that most people can safely get flu and COVID shots together.

Here are the practical details:

• The CDC says shots can go in the same arm at least an inch apart, or in different arms.
• ACOG says the RSV vaccine in pregnancy can be given with flu, Tdap and COVID-19 shots.
• The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) says people with weakened immune systems can get all three in one visit. The best time is before treatments such as chemotherapy or organ transplants.

There is a trade-off. Pharmacy Times, citing CDC data, reports that combined shots slightly raise mild, short-lived reactions such as fatigue, headache and muscle aches. If that worries you, ask about spacing the shots out.

One difference is worth knowing. The CDC calls same-visit flu and RSV shots acceptable, though it notes that data are limited. For older adults, UK guidance (the Green Book, as summarized by NHS England’s East of England team) says RSV and flu vaccines should not routinely be booked for the same appointment, because some data suggest the immune response to both may be reduced. It allows same-day shots when a person is unlikely to return or needs protection right away.

How do the UK, Canada and WHO compare?

Most other countries aim COVID shots at higher-risk groups. The UK and Canada both do.

What the UK says

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says the autumn COVID shot goes mainly to people at highest risk. Eligibility is the same across all four UK nations. UKHSA says its surveillance data from last autumn’s programme showed vaccine effectiveness of 47% for the three months after vaccination. It also says current vaccines give good protection against severe disease and hospitalization. The agency adds that protection from earlier shots wanes by autumn. So the protection is real, but partial and short.

What Canada says

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued its COVID guidance in June 2026. It recommends two doses a year for people 80 and older and says COVID shots can be given with other vaccines. Global News reports that provinces set their own rollouts and that flu shots are being prioritized for people at high risk.

What WHO says, and why the Southern Hemisphere differs

WHO issues flu strain advice twice a year, once for each hemisphere. Its September 2025 announcement covered the 2026 Southern Hemisphere season. WHO has also said since September 2023 that a B/Yamagata component is no longer needed. That matches this year’s US vaccines, which protect against three viruses, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. The CDC says the Southern Hemisphere flu season usually runs from April to September, while the Northern Hemisphere’s runs from October through May. So that region uses its own formula and timing. For RSV, WHO’s May 2025 position paper says its expert group recommended maternal RSV vaccines and long-acting antibodies to protect infants. The paper said advice on RSV vaccines for older adults would follow at a later meeting.

What are most people missing about this fall’s shots?

Four details get lost in the debate.

1. “Talk to your doctor” is still a recommendation for most adults. The CDC recommends the 2026-27 COVID vaccine for all adults 18 and older. Shared decision-making applies to children who are not immunocompromised.
2. A new flu option exists. The mRNA flu vaccine is for adults 50 and older. ACOG’s table notes that it is not approved for use in pregnancy, and no data exist on its use while breastfeeding.
3. Age changes the product. For toddlers, Spikevax is the COVID option listed from 6 months.
4. The guidance is still moving. The CDC updated its COVID guidance on October 8, per MDSpire News. The AAFP said in September that CDC dosing details for 2026-27 COVID vaccines were not yet available.

A better question than “who is right?”

Many pages ask whether the CDC or the AAP is right. That question has no clean answer, and it can leave families doing nothing. A more useful question is what each source wants you to do next. For a healthy toddler, the CDC says to discuss COVID vaccination, and the AAP says to vaccinate. Both lead to the same first step, which is a call or visit with your child’s clinician.

Most of the rest is not in dispute. That includes adult flu shots, RSV protection for older adults and pregnancy, and same-visit dosing. The sharpest split involves COVID shots for young children.

The bigger picture, and what could happen next

For years, one federal schedule told families what to do. Now families may see a federal schedule, professional society advice, state rules and pharmacy policies all at once. The AAMC says the CDC has not issued its usual updated advice, and the court cases behind that are not settled. People who rely on one source can miss a change.

Nobody can say for sure what comes next, but a few things are worth watching:

• The CDC could publish more 2026-27 COVID dosing details, which the AAFP said were not available in September.
• An appeals court ruling on the government’s challenge to the March order could change which version of the CDC child schedule applies.
• Flu activity could rise sooner than usual, since the AAMC noted it started early this year.

A simple habit covers most cases. Check the CDC page and the page from the group that fits your situation, such as the AAP, ACOG or AAFP. Recheck both before a visit, because they can change.

Myths and facts about fall vaccines

Benefits and risks in plain words. Vaccines can lower the chance of severe illness. They do not remove all risk, and UKHSA data show that COVID vaccine protection is partial and fades over months. Side effects are usually mild. ACOG lists a sore arm, headache, muscle pain and nausea for the RSV shot in pregnancy. Tell your clinician about any past severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, because the CDC says some people should ask first.

Who should be careful, and when should you talk to a doctor?

Some groups need extra planning before they get any shot.

• People with weakened immune systems. IDSA strongly recommends flu, COVID and RSV vaccines for this group. Timing matters, for example before chemotherapy or a transplant. Children with moderate or severe immune weakness may need 2 or more COVID doses, per the AAP.
• Pregnant people. ACOG recommends flu, COVID and RSV vaccination, with different timing for each. The new mRNA flu vaccine is not approved in pregnancy.
• Anyone with a past severe allergic reaction. The CDC says some people should not get certain flu vaccines, or should ask a clinician first.
• Babies under 6 months. They are too young for the flu and COVID shots. For RSV, they rely on the mother’s vaccine or an antibody shot.

The CDC lists fast breathing or trouble breathing as an emergency warning sign. Seek emergency medical care right away if a child or adult has it.

Questions to ask your doctor

1. Which flu vaccine fits me or my child, and do we need one dose or two?
2. Is the COVID vaccine recommended for us, given our health and risk?
3. Are we eligible for RSV protection through age, pregnancy or an infant antibody?
4. Can we get every shot in one visit, and what mild reactions should we expect?
5. Do you follow CDC or AAP advice for children, and why?

Care while you recover

If a cold lingers and your face feels painful and stuffed up, our sinus infection guide explains symptoms worth a closer look. For comfort at home, our post on the benefits of honey covers what is known. Neither replaces a doctor’s advice. One safety note: the CDC and the AAP advise against giving honey to babies under 12 months.

What to do next

The main point holds even when the sources differ. For this fall, a flu shot 2026 is recommended for nearly everyone 6 months and older, and most other advice depends on age and risk. The one real split is COVID vaccination for young children.

The CDC suggests a talk with a doctor, and the AAP recommends the shot for ages 6 to 23 months. So book the flu shot soon, and ask about the others at the same visit. Bring the questions above. Recheck the CDC, AAP and ACOG pages before you go, because the guidance is still changing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Sources last checked October 25, 2026.

• CDC: 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccination guidance
• CDC: interim flu vaccine considerations
• CDC: flu vaccine with other vaccines
• CDC: Southern Hemisphere flu activity
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: 2026-27 recommendations
• AAP: 2026-27 COVID-19 policy statement
• AAP: shared clinical decision-making
• Contemporary Pediatrics: AAP COVID recommendation
• ACOG: 2026-27 respiratory season release
• ACOG: RSV vaccine and pregnancy FAQ
• Immunize.org: influenza Ask the Experts
• Immunize.org: RSV for older adults
• AAMC: A guide to fall vaccines
• Scripps News: medical groups release recommendations
• Public Health Communications Collaborative
• MDSpire News: CDC 2026-27 COVID vaccines
• CNN: respiratory season vaccine guide
• American Lung Association: RSV
• Pharmacy Times: coadministration
• IDSA recommendations (Respiratory Therapy)
• NHS England, East of England: co-administration guide
• Wessex LMCs: 2026/27 flu and COVID vaccine guidance (Green Book RSV advice)
• UKHSA: who is eligible for the 2026 COVID vaccine
• GOV.UK: autumn 2026 COVID advice accepted
• NHS (Central East ICB): who can have the flu vaccine
• NHS (Cheshire and Merseyside): flu vaccination
• Home Care Association: flu programme 2026/27
• PHAC: NACI COVID guidance summary
• Global News: Canada rollout
• WHO: 2026 Southern Hemisphere flu composition
• WHO: position paper on RSV immunization for infants (May 2025)
• Georgetown CCF: court order on the childhood vaccination schedule
• Spencer Fane: judge pauses vaccine committee overhaul
• Spectrum News (Ohio): flu season ramps up
• National Council on Aging: flu season for older adults
• AHCA: CDC interim flu guidance
• Forum Extended Care Services: interim flu guidance
• CBS News: honey-filled pacifiers and infant botulism