Fall is Vaccine Season

According to a study by the National Council on Aging, three in five people hospitalized with COVID-19 have been over age 65 and that group represented 90% of COVID-related deaths.

Everyone six months of age or older should be vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19 each year. Vaccination of high-risk persons, including seniors and people with chronic health conditions, is especially important. Vaccination also is important for health care workers and those who live with or care for high-risk individuals. That helps keep the whole community healthy.

Want to learn more? Read some of our flu and COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions below.

F.A.Q.s

Should I get influenza and COVID-19 vaccines?

Both influenza and COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to hospitalization or even death. It’s often difficult to know which virus you have without testing. Seniors are at increased risk of severe complications from both illnesses.

The CDC also recommends that everyone get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this cold and flu season, especially if they are over the age of 65 or are living in a long-term care facility. The influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months.

Vaccination not only protects individuals but also helps reduce the spread of the virus within communities. By getting vaccinated, people help protect those who may not be able to get the vaccine (e.g., individuals with specific health conditions or weak immune systems). When enough people are vaccinated, the spread of viruses slows down significantly. This protects the most vulnerable members of society, contributing to community-wide immunity.

When should I get my vaccines?

The flu season is unpredictable, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the peak ahead of time. The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine in October, but the influenza season could last well into February or March. So, ask your health care provider what is right for you.

Is it okay to get them at the same time?

According to the CDC it is okay to get both the Covid-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine at the same time. People who got both vaccines at the same time, as opposed to just getting the Covid-19 vaccine, were slightly more likely to get symptoms like fatigue, headache, and muscle ache. According to the CDC, those symptoms were mild and went away quickly. The biggest benefit to getting both vaccines in one appointment is to minimize the amount of trips and travel time.

Why do I need to get new shots every year?

According to the FDA, some viruses mutate and change over time. Vaccine formulas are regularly updated to work most effectively against the most recent strain of a virus. So far this year two additional COVID-19 vaccine formulas have been approved:

Comirnaty (2024-2025 Formula)
Spikevax (2024-2025 Formula)

Remember, getting vaccinated protects not only you, but the people around you who may be more vulnerable to severe illness. We can all do our part to stop the spread of illness and help keep our communities healthy and strong.

For more information, check out the CDC’s Vaccine Information Statement.