Your Guide to Fall Vaccines: Flu shots, COVID boosters & RSV

Influenza vs COVID-19 vs RSV

According to the CDC, both the flu and COVID-19 are highly contagious viral infections that affect the respiratory system. Symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar but they are caused by two very different viruses. Both the flu and COVID-19 can be more severe than the common cold for people. In fact, the CDC notes that out of 9 million cases of influenza viruses in the 2021-2022 season, there were 4 million flu-related medical visits, 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 5,000 flu-related deaths. The numbers are even more dismal for COVID-19, with over 2 million COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 244,000 COVID-19-related deaths in the United States.

Each of these viruses can be spread through exposure to a contaminated surface or respiratory droplets that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, notes the CDC.

Influenza, COVID-19 & RSV Symptoms Compared

Symptoms of RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 can be similar. Our symptom tracker (based on information from the Mayo Clinic) can help guide you this season.

When does flu season start?

In the United States, flu season usually begins in October, peaks between December and February, and continues through May, according to the CDC. The highest number of flu cases is usually reported between late December and early March, which are typically the coldest months of the year in most parts of the United States.

Cold temperatures combined with low humidity allow flu virus particles to remain in the air for a longer time, making it easier for the particles to spread from person to person. Since more people are gathered indoors during these months (because of cold weather or school) there are more opportunities for the flu virus to circulate, notes the CDC.

When is the best time to get the flu shot, RSV immunization, and COVID-19 booster?

According to the CDC, it takes a couple of weeks for the body to develop antibodies after you receive an immunization. Therefore, the CDC recommends you and your family members start getting your fall immunizations by the end of October at the latest. Some children between the ages of six months and eight years may require more than one dose of the flu shot and COVID-19 series for optimal protection—each of which should be received at least four weeks apart.

The CDC notes that getting your flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time is perfectly safe.

How do immunizations work?

Immunizations (vaccines) work by stimulating your body’s immune system to create antibodies, according to the CDC. This helps your body understand how to fight off an infection without the dangers of having a real infection. Because some viruses mutate or change over time, updated immunizations are needed to help your body’s immune system stay up-to-date.

This year, getting a flu shot, along with a COVID-19 booster and RSV vaccine (if you are eligible) are important steps in preventing another “triple-demic”, according to the CDC.

It is important to remember that even though immunizations don’t always prevent minor illnesses, they do help prevent the burden of more severe illnesses from overwhelming hospitals and clinics across the nation, notes the CDC.

Flu Vaccine Recommendations

Evidence from the CDC shows that the flu shot is usually effective at reducing the risk of severe illness and complications. In fact, the CDC notes that the flu vaccine can reduce flu illness by 40% and 60% during flu season. It is important to note that certain factors may influence the effectiveness of immunizations. According to the CDC, this includes the age and health status of the person being immunized and how well the immunization is matched to the circulating strains of viruses.

Who should get the flu shot?

When should you get the flu vaccination is a question many people ask every year. Every year the seasonal flu peaks during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. A month or so before the seasonal flu starts to trend upward is when the CDC recommends that people get vaccinated An annual flu vaccination is recommended by the CDC for everyone aged six months and older who doesn’t have contraindications to the vaccine—especially those at high risk for experiencing severe illness and complications from the flu. People at high risk for flu complications, according to the CDC, include:

• Adults aged 65 years and older
  

• Children younger than two years old
  

• People with certain neurological conditions
  

• People with chronic diseases like asthma, blood disorders, lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disorders, or metabolic disorders.
  

• People with a body mass index of 40 or higher
  

• People with a weakened immune system due to disease or medications
  

• People who have had a stroke
  

• Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
  

• American Indians and Alaska Natives
  

• People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
  

According to the CDC, children younger than six months and people with severe allergies to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients should not get the flu shot. Talk to your doctor to get a personalized recommendation if you are uncertain about whether you or someone in your family should get a flu shot.

How much does a flu shot cost?

The flu vaccine is usually free for those who have health insurance plans. If you have health insurance, you can get a flu vaccine at any flu shot provider, including:

• Your primary care doctor
  

• An urgent care center
  

• Your local public health or health department office
  

• A pharmacy
  

• A retail clinic
  

Workplaces and schools may also offer flu vaccine free of charge to employees and students.

Without health insurance, GoodRx indicates a flu vaccine can cost anywhere between $0 and $50 based on the type of flu shot received, provider rates, and the provider’s location. Many flu vaccine providers also offer special promotions, coupons, and discounts that can reduce the cost of the flu vaccine. You can contact flu vaccine providers directly to learn more about their influenza vaccine prices and any upcoming promotions you and your family can take advantage of.

Types of flu shots for the 2024-2025 flu season

According to the CDC, there are three types of influenza viruses: types A, B, and C. Type A tends to be more serious and is likely to mutate into a new strain to which people haven’t yet developed resistance. Type B flu viruses are less severe than type A influenza viruses but most often affect young children. Type C influenza viruses cause flu-like illnesses similar to the common cold.

Every flu season, researchers find that usually, one or two strains of Type A and Type B viruses are in circulation.

In response to the identified strains, two common influenza vaccinations are available most years:

• Trivalent: This vaccine protects against three strains of influenza: two A strains and one B strain. The trivalent vaccines have traditionally been the most popular and affordable influenza vaccine.
  

• Quadrivalent: This vaccine offers protection against four strains: two A strains and two B strains.
  

For the 2024-2025 flu season, all seasonal flu shots will be quadrivalent and will offer protection from all four strains of the flu virus, according to the CDC. The CDC also notes that this year’s flu shot continues to be thimerosal-free. There will also be egg-free versions of the flu shot available, for those who have an allergy to egg protein.

Your primary care doctor or influenza vaccination provider can advise which type of flu shot will be best for you and your family members and answer any questions you have about the ingredients in the influenza vaccination. Current flu vaccine options, according to the CDC, include:

• Standard dose flu shots.
  

• High-dose shots for people aged 65 years and older.
  

• Shots made with adjuvant for people aged 65 years and older.
  

• Shots made with viruses grown in cell culture. No eggs are involved in the production of this vaccine. This vaccine is ideal for people with severe egg allergies aged 18 years and older.
  

• Shots made using a vaccine production technology (recombinant vaccine) do not require having a candidate vaccine virus (CVV) sample to produce.
  

• Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)—a vaccine made with attenuated (weakened) live virus that is given by nasal spray.
  
  

COVID-19 Booster

We first started hearing about COVID-19 booster shots in around six months after the initial COVID-19 immunizations were distributed — when researchers discovered that the antibodies you make in response to the immunization decrease after several months. Shortly after, “COVID-19 boosters” began being offered to give a boost of protection against the dominant variants, much like we do each year with the flu shot. Studies published in The Lancet detail how COVID-19 immunizations saved tens of millions of lives globally, and continue to save lives today.

This year, the boosters have undergone another change. According to the FDA, this year’s COVID-19 booster is updated to offer protection against the current variants.

Who should get the COVID-19 booster?

Currently, the CDC recommends anyone over the age of 6 years who has not yet got a COVID-19 booster to get one. An updated version of the COVID-19 booster is expected in September. Official guidance may change when the booster becomes available, but at the time of this publication, anyone over the age of 6 who is 4 months past their initial immunization series or 3 months past their last infection can get a booster.

How much does a COVID-19 booster cost?

At the time of this publication, the COVID-19 boosters are still covered by the United States Government. However, this may change in the future. Solv will be monitoring this information for changes and will update this information as needed.

Can the flu shot help prevent COVID-19 also?

According to the CDC and FDA, the flu shot cannot prevent you from getting COVID-19. This is because the flu and COVID-19 are two different viruses despite the number of symptoms they share. Getting the flu shot can also help you avoid hospitalization and severe illness, which can free up room for those who need treatment for COVID-19.

RSV Immunization

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory illness in infants and young children, according to the CDC. They note that it often results in hospitalizations during peak seasons. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the development of an RSV vaccine, promising to offer a crucial line of defense against this pervasive virus. Immunization is important for protecting vulnerable populations from RSV-related complications.

Who should get the new RSV immunization?

There are new RSV immunizations that are now FDA-approved and recommended by the CDC for certain people—these include:

• Adults over the age of 60
  

• Infants younger than 8 months who are going into their first RSV season
  

• Children between 8 and 19 months who were born prematurely or have heart or lung conditions
  

• Women who are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant
  

How much does the new RSV immunization cost?

Your out-of-pocket costs when it comes to the new RSV immunization will depend a lot on your health insurance coverage. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), the new RSV immunization will be free to many people because it falls under preventive care covered under the ACA. This means that anyone with a private insurance plan, or government-sponsored insurance plan like ACA, Medicaid, or Medicare will be able to get the immunization for free. However, those who are uninsured may see a price tag ranging from $180 to $295, according to KFF.

Will I need an RSV immunization every year?

Since the RSV virus doesn’t mutate like influenza and COVID-19, experts note that you may not need an RSV immunization every year. However, the CDC notes that RSV immunization will continue to be important for young children and for pregnant mothers. Getting the RSV immunization during the third trimester of pregnancy gives newborns some protection against the virus through passive immunity. This protection is helpful until they are old enough to get the immunization themselves at 8 months of age.

Can I get my fall immunizations at the same time?

According to the CDC, it is perfectly safe to receive the COVID-19 immunization or booster along with your flu shot.

With RSV immunization being new this year, there is limited understanding of the effects of getting it at the same time as other immunizations. According to the CDC website, getting your RSV immunization at the same time as your flu shot may cause an increase in common side effects (like fever and soreness at the injection site), and also may not produce as strong of an immune response as when given separately. The CDC also notes that studies are ongoing, and this information may change as more becomes known.

What are the common side effects of the flu shot, COVID-19 booster, and RSV immunization?

Many immunizations have similar common side effects, according to the CDC. Usually, these side effects are mild and resolve on their own within a few days.

The CDC reports that common mild symptoms of a flu shot, COVID-19 booster, and RSV immunization are:

• Soreness
  

• Headache
  

• Fever
  

• Muscle aches
  

• Nausea
  

Rare reactions to immunizations include:

• Difficulty breathing
  

• Hives
  

• Facial tenderness, or swelling
  

If you experience any of the above rare symptoms, the CDC recommends that you seek medical attention immediately.

It is important to note that for most people the benefits of immunization far outweigh any potential risks. The CDC reports that the benefits of getting your fall immunizations include:

• Reduced risk of becoming ill from influenza, COVID-19, or RSV
  

• Reduced chance of being hospitalized with complications from these viruses, especially for young children, the elderly, and people with diabetes or chronic lung conditions
  

• Less severe symptoms if you do become ill with any of these viruses
  

• Reduced risk of respiratory illness in pregnant women and their babies
  

• Lowered rates of cardiac problems for people with heart disease
  

Talk to your doctor if you still have questions or concerns related to the flu shot.

Where to get a flu shot, COVID-19 booster, and RSV immunization this fall

Fall immunizations are offered by nearly all healthcare providers and in a variety of settings. Common places where you can get your flu shot, COVID-19 booster, and RSV immunization include:

• Urgent care clinics
  

• Pediatric urgent care centers
  

• Walk-in clinics
  

• Pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and others
  

• Hospitals
  

• Primary care doctors
  

• Grocery stores and supermarkets that offer pharmacy services
  

• Retail clinics
  

• Workplaces
  

• Public schools, including colleges and universities
  

• Community health centers
  

• Pop-up clinics sponsored by your local health department
  

• Your local public health office
  

You should also read up on where you can get a free flu shot and COVID-19 booster!

Solv is an easy and convenient way to find providers in your area who offer the flu shot and COVID-19 booster. Use SolvHealth to find same-day test providers and book an appointment directly from the app or website. Getting a flu shot every year is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community members from the flu.

If you are pregnant, over 60 years old, or have a baby under 8 months old you should contact your doctor or child’s pediatrician regarding the RSV immunization.