Doctors urge October flu shots ahead of respiratory virus season

Medical experts say October is an ideal time for most Americans to get a flu shot before influenza spreads widely, The Korea Times reported. Doctors’ groups also are urging eligible people to update protection against COVID-19 and RSV ahead of fall and winter.

The guidance comes as flu sends hundreds of thousands of people to hospitals and causes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Vaccine protection can take two weeks to develop, making timing a central part of fall prevention efforts.

The Korea Times reported that medical societies say nearly everyone starting at age 6 months should receive a flu vaccination. The groups identified adults 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immune systems as especially vulnerable.

The last two flu seasons produced unusually high child death totals, with most deaths occurring among unvaccinated children, according to The Korea Times. Dr. Ryan Stanton of the American College of Emergency Physicians said vaccines are not "a guarantee that we’re going to prevent illness. But just like the seat belt in your car, it decreases risk."

For older adults, three enhanced flu vaccines are designed to provide stronger protection, The Korea Times reported. The FDA also recently approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, an mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older; the report said it showed 27 percent greater effectiveness against symptomatic illness among people ages 50 to 64 compared with a standard shot.

FluMist nasal spray is available for some people ages 2 to 49 who meet health criteria, according to The Korea Times. Dr. Sarah Nosal of the American Academy of Family Physicians said people may look for a preferred vaccine option, "but do not delay your vaccination if that one’s not available."

Doctors’ groups also addressed COVID-19 and RSV. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all adults, especially seniors and people with risk factors, while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends shots for children ages 6 months to 23 months and older children with high-risk conditions, The Korea Times reported.

The FDA has formally approved updated COVID-19 shots for people 65 and older as a higher-risk group, and Nosal said adults in that group should receive a second dose 6 months later, according to The Korea Times. Family physicians recommend a one-time RSV shot for adults 75 and older, people ages 50 to 74 at increased risk and younger people with weak immune systems; RSV vaccination also is recommended late in pregnancy to help protect infants born during RSV season.

Most private insurers say they plan to continue covering fall shots through 2027, and Walgreens says it offers flu and COVID-19 shots without a prescription for people ages 3 and older, The Korea Times reported.