The 2024-25 Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines Are Here: Should You Get Them, and When?

How can you tell that fall is coming to Arizona? Temperatures start to cool, license plates change color, and respiratory season is just around the corner.

With kids back in school and holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving approaching, cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV are expected to rise throughout the winter. Now is the time to get vaccinated to protect yourself from serious illness, hospitalization, and even death.

As of this writing, vaccines for the 2024-25 flu season are now available. But which ones should you get? Do you fall into a specific risk group, and when is the best time to get vaccinated?

Here are your quick and simplified guidelines on the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines for the 2024-25 season:

Influenza Vaccine (The Flu Shot): Protection for Everyone

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

• Everyone aged 6 months and older (including those with egg allergies) should get vaccinated each season with any available flu vaccine.
• Pregnant women can be vaccinated during any trimester.
• Those aged 65 and older should receive a high-dose flu vaccine.
• Children who haven’t received at least two previous flu shots will need two doses this season.
• For full guidelines, go to: www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations

Timing Your Flu Shot:

If you get the flu shot too early, it might wear off before the flu season ends. In Arizona, peak flu activity usually occurs in January and February, so I recommend getting vaccinated in October or early November, ahead of the holiday season. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure you get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure.

The Updated COVID-19 Vaccine: Covering the New Variants

Who Should Get the New COVID-19 Vaccine?

• The latest COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are now available in pharmacies (I’ve verified this at my local Costco). The updated vaccines for 2024-25 cover the predominant KP strain currently circulating. The newest vaccine from Novavax is expected to be available soon.
• Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine, unless contraindicated.
• There are different schedules for those who are immunocompromised or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
• For full guidelines, go to: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations

When to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine:

COVID-19 continues to circulate in the U.S. and worldwide, and cases are expected to rise in the coming months. There’s no reason to delay vaccination unless you’ve recently had COVID-19 or received your last vaccine—then you should wait at least two months before getting the new one.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine

• The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for all adults aged 75 and older.
• Adults aged 60-74 at increased risk of severe RSV should also get vaccinated.
• Three RSV vaccines are approved for adults 60 and older in the U.S. A separate formulation is available for infants.
• For full guidelines, go to: www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults

Vaccines Protect Everyone

• Getting vaccinated for these common respiratory illnesses keeps you healthy and minimizes disruptions to work, family time, and activities you enjoy.
• The 2024-25 Flu, Covid-19, and RSV vaccines can all be safely (and conveniently) administered at the same time.
• Getting vaccinated not only protects you but also helps safeguard medically vulnerable individuals in your family and community.
• As always, check with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure which vaccines are appropriate for you.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and as always:  Travel Safe and GO. EXPLORE!