Flu and COVID-19 go the same places you do.
Stay up to date.
This respiratory season, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu is your best option to help protect against severe illness.
Know the facts.
Some infectious respiratory diseases, like flu and RSV, peak during the winter. However, COVID-19 rates tend to surge in both the winter and the summer, making it a year-round threat — evidenced by a large wave of COVID-19 cases this summer.
The infectious nature of these viruses requires staying up to date on recommended vaccines, including the 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines, to maintain protection when outbreaks peak.
Stay protected.
The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. If you got infected with COVID-19 during the summer surge, you are now able to get an updated vaccine to help protect you this winter. According to the CDC, following a COVID-19 infection, you may wait three months after infection to get an updated vaccine. That means if you had COVID-19 in June, July, or August, now is the time to get a 2024-2025 vaccine to reduce your risk of severe illness if you become infected with COVID-19 again.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given together.
When it’s time for you to get your updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines, you may consider getting both vaccines during the same appointment. This common practice is called “coadministration” and it is a safe, effective, and convenient way to increase your protection against COVID-19 and flu.
Getting both vaccines during one appointment will save you time by reducing the number of visits to your healthcare provider’s office, clinic, or pharmacy. Side effects from the vaccines are mostly mild and go away quickly. Serious side effects from vaccines are rare but can occur.
Learn whether it’s the right time for your COVID-19 or flu vaccines.
COVID-19
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant people, receive at least one dose of the latest 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Some individuals may need additional doses, depending on vaccination history.
Three COVID-19 vaccines are available in the U.S., including two mRNA vaccine options (Moderna and Pfizer) and one protein-based vaccine option (Novavax).
Flu
CDC recommends that everyone—with rare exceptions—6 months and older, including pregnant people, receive an updated flu vaccine each year.
Several types of flu vaccines are available. Depending on age and other factors, you may be recommended to receive a particular type of flu vaccine. Approved options include inactivated injectable, recombinant injectable, live attenuated nasal spray, high-dose, and adjuvanted flu vaccines.