It’s that time of year again.
The season when flu (influenza), RSV, COVID-19 and other common respiratory illnesses spread further has arrived with the cooler weather. It’s sending many to pharmacy lines and waiting rooms to get up to date on immunizations.
The question of vaccine access has been up in the air since Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took over federal health agencies earlier this year and replaced every member of the vaccine committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on yearly immunization recommendations.
Luckily for Americans whose heads are still spinning from COVID vaccine upheaval, flu shot recommendations are largely unchanged. Here’s what to know about getting one.
Can you get a COVID vaccine this fall?: What to know about the new requirements.
Has anything changed about getting the flu vaccine?
In contrast to the back-and-forth surrounding the COVID vaccine this year, major changes were not made to flu vaccine recommendations.
One minor adjustment occurred in July when RFK Jr. signed a controversial recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to remove a once-common vaccine preservative called thimerosal from all influenza vaccines.
Thimerosal is a preservative that has largely been phased out of U.S. vaccines and has long been targeted by anti-vaccine advocates despite broad scientific consensus on its safety. Still, experts say that improvements in manufacturing technology have decreased the need to add such preservatives.
Though the CDC mentions thimerosal-free vaccines in its 2025-2026 season information page, this recommendation isn’t likely to result in major changes. The agency previously found that 96% of all influenza vaccines in the United States were already thimerosal-free in the 2024-2025 season.
Who is eligible for a flu shot?
Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for the flu vaccine unless they have a condition, such as an allergy to its ingredients or a previous severe reaction, that prevents immunization.
In September 2024, the FDA approved FluMist, a nasal spray for flu immunization that some can take if they prefer it over a shot. This form of vaccination has a larger list of people who should not use it, however, including children younger than 2 years of age, adults 50 years of age and older, pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems or those on certain medications.
A sign advertises free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at a CVS Pharmacy in New York City, New York, U.S., September 5, 2025. CVS offers a variety of vaccinations, including flu and COVID-10, usually for free or low cost.
Who should get a flu shot and why?
Everyone ages six months or older should get the flu shot every year, according to the CDC and major medical institutions such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Getting a yearly flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications and is usually available for free or at a low cost. While the flu is traditionally associated with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, headache and fatigue, children and adults alike can experience moderate to severe complications.
Potential complications include sinus and ear infections; inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues; multi-organ failure; sepsis or the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.
While the vaccine is recommended for everyone, some groups are at higher risk than others and would be prioritized in the case of a shortage, though the CDC does not anticipate a supply issue in the 2025-2026 season.
People 65 years and older and adults 50 or older with chronic medical conditions are the most likely groups to experience complications, hospitalizations and deaths due to influenza, making them high-priority groups. Children ages 6 months through 4 years, people who are immunocompromised or on certain medications, pregnant people and those who work in health care settings or live in nursing homes are also highly encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.
Where to get a flu shot
Pharmacies are the most common place American adults turn to for seasonal vaccines. CVS and Walgreens, two of the largest chains, offer vaccine appointments online, as well as accepting walk ins. Both offer the option to receive multiple vaccines at once, and the cost of immunization at these pharmacies is covered entirely by most insurance companies.
You should check with your insurance provider if you have questions about costs.
Children who are uninsured or underinsured, Medicaid-eligible or of American Indian or Alaska Native descent can receive the vaccine for free through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. You do not have to show any proof that your child is eligible for free vaccines beyond certifying their qualifications to the health care professional giving it.
Adults who are uninsured or underinsured or who cannot otherwise avoid the vaccine are also eligible for free and low-cost vaccine assistance programs. Those seeking a flu shot can visit Vaccines.gov to find the closest locations to get the shot. Low and no-cost options are available at doctors’ and healthcare providers’ offices, pharmacies, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)-supported health centers and via employers, schools and community organizations.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where and how to get a flu shot this fall
