New Fall Vaccines You Need to Know About: COVID-19, Flu, and RSV

Getting sick makes life harder. You feel awful, and you can’t go to work or school; you worry about making those around you sick, and you can’t do the things you need to do or even the ones you want to do. 

Highly contagious illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are particularly concerning because you may unknowingly infect others before you’re even aware you’re ill. At Michigan Avenue Primary Care and Immediate Care, our experts can help you track your immunizations, as well as help you know which ones you should get each season.  

In the meantime, here’s some information about three immunizations you may want to get this fall before your chances of getting sick rise. 

COVID-19

Although the pandemic has been declared over, people are still contracting COVID-19. Regular vaccinations are the best way to prevent severe illness and limit the spread of the disease. 

One reason to get a COVID-19 shot regularly is that the virus changes over time. Getting a regular shot means you get protection against the common current strains of COVID-19. 

Another reason is that immunity tends to fade over time. That means you have the best protection in the weeks immediately after getting a vaccine, but as time passes, the protection wears thin. An annual vaccination means you have an optimal level of protection. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have questions about your individual situation, our providers are happy to provide personalized guidance based on your medical history. 

Now is the ideal time to get a COVID-19 vaccine. This will protect you during the winter when the virus proliferates, and people spend more time indoors together. 

Influenza

Getting an annual flu shot is essential. Like the COVID-19 vaccine, the flu shot is tailored yearly to protect against the most commonly circulating strains. 

In 2024-25, the flu shot protects you from H1N1, H3N2, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. Experts expect these strains to be most common this flu season. 

The CDC guidelines for flu vaccines recommend that most people six months and older get vaccinated. In North America, September and October are optimal months for getting a shot. 

RSV

The vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a bit different from those for COVID-19 and the flu in that experts do not recommend it for everyone. Instead, they recommend that adults aged 75 years and older be vaccinated against RSV. 

Others who should get the vaccine include people who are 60-74 and have an increased risk of severe symptoms due to: 

• Chronic heart or lung disease
• A weakened immune system
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or obesity
• Living in a care facility or nursing home

RSV shares a peak season with flu and COVID-19 and has similar symptoms, making the three illnesses difficult to distinguish. However, RSV can cause more serious lung infections, leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia in susceptible populations such as those described above. 

Most people only need an RSV vaccination one time, so if you’ve already had one, you likely don’t need another. 

If you have questions about what immunizations you or your family may need this year, schedule an appointment at Michigan Avenue Primary Care and Immediate Care. We’re happy to help.