How can the flu be prevented?
CDC recommends you "Take Action to Prevent Flu"
Who should get the flu vaccine?
Everyone 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated for flu. It is especially important that the people in one of the groups listed below get a flu shot every year as they are more likely to get severely ill with flu.
- Children aged 6 months through 18 years
- People 50 years of age and older
- Pregnant and postpartum people
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, neurologic and neuromuscular conditions and weakened immune systems
- People with muscle and nerve disorders that make it difficult to breathe or swallow
- Children aged 6 months through 18 years on long-term aspirin therapy
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People 65 years of age or older are recommended to receive the following three preferential flu vaccines: Fluzone High-Dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, Flublok recombinant Influenza Vaccine, and Fluad adjuvanted Influenza vaccine. If none of these three preferred vaccines are available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine may be used. More information is available Specific flu shots for people 65 years and older
In August, the FDA approved Moderna’s mFLUSIVA It is the first mRNA influenza vaccine. It is for adults aged 50 and older. It is expected to become available during the 2026-2027 respiratory viral season but there is uncertainty as to how widely available it will be in this first respiratory season.
Anyone who might transmit flu to someone at risk. For example, health care workers, including those in training, emergency response workers, direct care staff, people who live with or care for anyone on the list above, and people who live with or care for infants under 6 months of age, including parents, siblings, and daycare providers.
Please see the vaccine recommendations for respiratory viruses (PDF) from the American Medical Association and the Massachusetts DPH recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory illness season for COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine, and RSV immunization.
Video: Everyone needs a flu vaccine!
Skip this video Everyone needs a flu vaccine!.Why should I get the flu vaccine?
Burden Estimates
CDC does not know the exact number of people who have been sick and affected by influenza because influenza is not a reportable disease in most areas of the United States. However, CDC uses a mathematical model to estimate the number of influenza illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths that occur each season. Preliminary estimates of influenza burden in the United States for 2025-26 (from October 1, 2025 through May 23, 2026), show that influenza virus infection likely resulted in between 32 million–57 million symptomatic illnesses, 15 million-25 million medical visits, 390,000 – 800,000 million hospitalizations, and 24,000-81,000 deaths. Preliminary Estimated Flu Disease Burden 2025-2026 Flu Season
When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through the community.
The 2025-2026 U.S. influenza season was classified by CDC as a moderate season across all ages. CDC's in-season severity assessment framework classified the season as moderate across all ages. CDC also assesses severity by three age groups: pediatric (0-17 years), adult (18-64 years), and older adults (≥65 years). The pediatric age group (0-17 years) was classified as having high severity, while both the adult (18-64 years), and older adults (≥65 years) were classified as having moderate severity. There were 198 pediatric influenza-associated deaths reported. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report.
It is important to get the flu vaccine during this upcoming respiratory season when we anticipate COVID-19 and RSV will circulate as well. While we do not know exactly what the coming influenza season will look like, influenza results in a significant public health burden in the United States every winter. For persons aged ≥6 months, receiving a seasonal influenza vaccine each year remains the best way to protect against seasonal influenza and its potentially severe consequences.
Flu vaccines are covered by insurance. They are free at certain locations for all people under the age of 19 and for adults without insurance.
A 2023 study estimated that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-related emergency department and urgent care (ED/UC) visits by almost half, and hospitalizations by more than a third, among U.S. adults during the 2022-2023 season. And a 2025 study showed that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalization for influenza A(H1N1) viruses and influenza B viruses. For influenza A(H3N2) viruses, vaccine effectiveness was not statistically significant (meaning that there was not clear evidence of a protective effect.
- Flu vaccination reduces the prevalence and severity of illness caused by flu, reducing symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19
- It will reduce the overall burden of respiratory illness that will protect people at higher risk for severe illness of both flu and COVID-19
- The reduction of outpatient illnesses, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions from flu vaccination will alleviate stress on the health care system
- In Massachusetts, Flu and COVID vaccines are covered by insurance - they are free at certain locations for all people under the age of 19 and for adults without insurance
A recent systematic review found that evidence published August 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, continued to demonstrate that influenza vaccines were associated with reduced risk of severe disease and hospitalization, especially among older adults, infants, children, and young adults. No new safety concerns were identified. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season (JAMA article)
For additional information, please see the CDC page: Benefits of Flu Vaccination
Should I get my child vaccinated?
Yes, a flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting the flu and spreading it to others. Children younger than 5 years of age — especially those younger than 2 years old — are at high risk of serious flu-related symptoms and complications.
Flu vaccination has been found to reduce deaths in children. A study in Pediatrics was the first of its kind to show that influenza vaccination is effective in preventing influenza-associated deaths among children.
- A study looking at children and adolescents estimated that influenza (flu) vaccination reduced the risk of flu-related emergency department and urgent care visits and hospitalizations by almost half (40-48%) among children and adolescents during the 2022-2023 season. A 2022 study showed that flu vaccination reduced children’s risk of severe life-threatening influenza by 75%.
- A MMWR study published in September 2025 reported on influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) as a rare, severe neurologic complication of influenza among children. An MMWR during the 2024-2025 influenza season reported on cases of pediatric influenza-associated encephalopathy and acute necrotizing encephalopathy
During the 2025-2026 season, severity was highest among the pediatric age group (0-17 years).
Nationally, a total of 198 pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during the 2025-2026 season.
Where can I find the flu vaccine?
Find out where you can get a flu vaccine by visiting vaccinefinder.org, or asking your health care provider, or going to a local pharmacy. The flu vaccine helps your body protect against the flu and it is your best protection against the virus. Getting flu vaccine will not give you the flu.
I still got the flu after the flu vaccine. Why should I get the flu vaccine this year?
Although the flu vaccine won’t prevent every case of the flu, getting an annual vaccination is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness. Getting the flu vaccine may make illness milder.
A flu shot cannot cause flu illness. If you get flu-like symptoms after receiving the flu vaccine, these may be mild side-effects of the vaccine, such as a low-grade fever or headache. If you get diagnosed with the flu shortly after receiving the flu vaccine, you may have been exposed to the flu virus beforehand, as it takes approximately two weeks for the vaccine to work.
I heard that the flu vaccine was not very effective. Why should I get it if it’s not effective?
While vaccine effectiveness can vary, studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine. It is also the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness. Remember, if you don’t get a vaccine at all, that’s 0% effective.
What flu vaccine should I get?
Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people. Interim Clinical Guidance from the CDC provides the same recommendations from the previous influenza season. Please review the Massachusetts DPH recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory illness season for COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine, and RSV immunization for additional guidance.
There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as 6 months of age and flu shots approved for use in adults 65 years and older. Flu shots also are recommended for use in pregnant people and people with chronic health conditions. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years of age. People with some medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.
Your provider will know which flu vaccine is best for you.
Can I get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?
Yes, you can get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time if you are eligible and the timing for each vaccine is right.
Is it true that I can give myself or my child the nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist?
Yes, on September 20, 2024, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist, for self- or caregiver administration. The option for self or caregiver administration is now available for the 2026-2027 flu season. People can administer the vaccine to themselves (if they are 18 through 49 years old) or it can be administered by a caregiver who is age 18 years or older (if the recipient is 2 through 17 years old). FluMist contains weakened live influenza viruses. FluMist has the same vaccine virus components as other flu vaccines and are designed to protect against an H1N1 virus, and an H3N2 virus, and an influenza B virus.
FDA-approved nasal spray flu vaccine
Ordering & Using FluMist at Home| FluMist® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal)
Resources
Remember, protect yourself, your loved ones, as well as all those around you by getting a flu vaccine! Ask your health care provider what flu vaccine is best for you and your family.
Find out where you can get a flu vaccine by visiting vaccines.gov/flu, asking your health care provider, or going to a local pharmacy.
To learn more about the flu, visit flu information for general public website and the Respiratory Virus Immunization Recommendations (PDF) from the American Medical Association (AMA) on influenza, COVID-19 and RSV recommendations and www.cdc.gov/flu.
| Last updated: | October 22, 2026 |
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