Key facts
- Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA for the upcoming season.
- Major insurance plans will cover recommended vaccines at no cost through 2027.
- Medical organizations have issued their own vaccine recommendations due to issues with the CDC's advisory committee.
- Flu vaccine recommendations include trivalent shots for most, high-dose for seniors, and a nasal spray option.
- COVID-19 vaccine recommendations target individuals 65+ and high-risk groups, with pharmacies largely maintaining self-attestation access.
- Moderna's new mRNA flu vaccine faces uncertainties regarding availability and insurance coverage.
As the fall respiratory virus season approaches, the rollout of updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines is set to proceed, despite disruptions caused by the controversial tenure of U.S. health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the invalidation of his appointed vaccine advisory committee members by a federal judge.
While Kennedy's past actions, such as halting a flu shot campaign, have raised concerns, the overall vaccine effort is anticipated to be relatively smooth. The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated flu and COVID-19 shots, which are already being distributed. Major insurance providers have committed to covering these vaccines at no cost through 2027, ensuring continued access.
Leading medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have stepped in to provide evidence-based recommendations, filling the void left by the nonfunctioning CDC advisory panel. These recommendations largely mirror those from the previous year.
For flu, trivalent vaccines are recommended for individuals six months and older, with a nasal spray option for ages 2-49. Those 65 and older are advised to receive a high-dose vaccine. A new mRNA flu vaccine from Moderna, mFlusiva, approved for adults 50 and up, has shown higher effectiveness but faces uncertainties regarding availability and insurance coverage.
The optimal time for flu vaccination is typically between late September and October to ensure protection during the peak flu season from December to February.
For COVID-19, updated vaccines are approved for individuals 65 and older and those aged six months to 64 with qualifying health conditions. Despite the federal recommendation being in limbo due to the court ruling, major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens intend to continue allowing individuals under 65 to self-attest their eligibility, similar to last year. Doctors can also administer vaccines off-label. The medical groups' recommendations suggest seasonal COVID-19 vaccination for children aged six months to 23 months and all adults, with a second dose recommended for those 65 and older six months later.
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