What Adults 50+ Need to Know About Flu Vaccines
Learn more about flu vaccines for adults 50+.
The flu can be serious for adults 50 and older, especially those with chronic health conditions. Vaccines help you stay protected against severe illness from the flu.
Why Should Adults 50+ Get a Flu Vaccine?
Getting an influenza (flu) vaccine helps to reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu. Higher flu vaccination is linked to fewer hospital stays for older adults.
Flu vaccines are recommended for people 6 months and older by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and leading medical societies.
Why Is the Flu More Serious for Adults 50+?
As we age, our immune protection naturally weakens, making it harder to fight off respiratory illness. This means adults 50+ are at increased risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu. For those with ongoing health conditions such as heart disease, chronic lung disease, and asthma, the risk is even higher.
Use CVEEP’s Risk Calculator tool to see which vaccines are recommended for you based on your age and health condition.
Each year in the United States, the flu causes millions of cases of illness, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. Vaccination provides the best protection against the flu.
What Flu Vaccine Options Are Available for Adults 50+?
Several types of flu vaccines are available. Depending on your age and health status, you may be recommended to receive a particular type of flu vaccine. For example, adults 65 and older are recommended to receive high dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines.
Talk with a healthcare provider to understand the right option for you.
Where Can Adults 50+ Get a Flu Vaccine?
Flu vaccines are available at local pharmacies, doctor offices, and health clinics.
Flu vaccination does not require a prescription and healthcare providers (e.g., doctors, nurses, pharmacists) can help answer questions.
Are Flu Vaccines Covered by Insurance?
Flu vaccines are covered at no cost by both public (Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE) and private insurance, including employer-sponsored plans.
Adults without insurance may be able to access vaccines free of cost through patient assistance programs or state or local health departments.
What Should Adults 50+ Do if They Get the Flu?
If you are 50+ and develop flu symptoms, antiviral treatment can make your illness less severe and lower your risk of hospitalization.
Flu antivirals work best when started within 48 hours of symptoms beginning. Oral antiviral medications are shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization due to the flu.
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