Vaccines You Need To Protect Yourself This Fall
August is National Immunization Month, a reminder of the vital role vaccines play in public health. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that vaccines prevent an estimated 3.5 to 5 million deaths each year from 20 different diseases.¹
With respiratory illness season approaching, this fall is the best time to get vaccinated against diseases like the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. This is especially important for adults aged 60 and older, who face a higher risk of severe illness.²³ By staying up-to-date on your vaccinations, you can help protect yourself and your community from some of the most common preventable illnesses this winter.
Influenza Vaccine
What Is The Flu?
Influenza, or the flu, is a common respiratory illness with symptoms including head and body aches, fever, coughing, and a stuffy or runny nose. While these symptoms can be mild, sometimes the flu can lead to severe health issues, especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults or people with pre-existing conditions.⁴
Who Should Get It?
The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine, with rare exceptions⁵ for people with severe allergies to vaccine ingredients or who have had past allergic reactions to the vaccine.⁶
How Does The Vaccine Protect Me?
The CDC estimates that 50-70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in adults 65 and older.⁷ The vaccine prompts your immune system to develop antibodies, which help fight off the virus if you’re exposed. It’s important to get vaccinated annually, as influenza strains change yearly.⁸ This year’s flu shot targets three influenza virus strains, including a new one, H3N2, expected to circulate in the coming months.⁹
COVID-19 Vaccine
What Is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease that causes respiratory symptoms similar to the flu or pneumonia. However, older adults, immunocompromised individuals, or those with underlying health conditions can develop more serious symptoms and are at higher risk for hospitalization.¹⁰
Who Should Get It?
The CDC advises that everyone ages six months and older receive at least one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.¹¹ For the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccination guidelines, click here.
How Does The Vaccine Protect Me?
The COVID-19 vaccine reduces your risk of severe illness by helping your immune system recognize and fight the virus.¹² Additionally, a COVID-19 infection increases the risk of somebody contracting Long COVID, a condition where COVID-19 symptoms such as extreme fatigue, brain fog, and headaches can linger for months or even years.¹³ Research from Sweden has shown that three or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine can reduce the risk of developing Long COVID by 73%.¹⁴
RSV Vaccine
What Is RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that spreads easily through coughs and sneezes, with symptoms ranging from a cold-like cough to severe respiratory distress.¹⁵
Who Should Get It?
The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for adults 75 years and older and those 60–74 years old who are at increased risk of severe RSV.¹⁶ A person may be considered at risk if they have chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or health conditions such as severe obesity and severe diabetes.¹⁷ The CDC also recommends an RSV vaccine for pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy during September through January.¹⁸
How Does The Vaccine Protect Me?
The RSV vaccine helps protect against and reduces the likelihood of severe infection and complications.¹⁹
How To Make A Plan
Staying up to date on your vaccinations is one of the best ways to help protect yourself and your loved ones this fall and winter. Help encourage your colleagues, friends, and families to book their vaccines at their local pharmacies and care settings.
If you have questions about getting the updated vaccines, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. For more information on where to get vaccinated, visit vaccines.gov.²⁰
¹https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1
²https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html
³https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html#:~:text=Updated%202024%2D2025%20Flu%20Vaccine,complications%20this%20fall%20and%20winter.
⁴https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4335-influenza-flu
⁵https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html#:~:text=Updated%202024%2D2025%20Flu%20Vaccine,complications%20this%20fall%20and%20winter.
⁶https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm
⁷https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/seniors/seniors-vaccination-factsheet-final.pdf
⁸https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4335-influenza-flu
⁹https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html#:~:text=Updated%202024%2D2025%20Flu%20Vaccine,complications%20this%20fall%20and%20winter
¹⁰https://www.cdc.gov/covid/about/index.html
¹¹https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html#:~:text=Updated%202024%2D2025%20Flu%20Vaccine,complications%20this%20fall%20and%20winter
¹²https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/changing-threat-covid-19.html
¹³https://www.cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/long-covid-signs-symptoms.html
¹⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10666099
¹⁵https://www.nfid.org/infectious-disease/rsv
¹⁶https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/older-adults.html#risk-factors
¹⁷https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html
¹⁸https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/pregnant-people.html
¹⁹https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html
²⁰https://www.vaccines.gov/