Health experts advise timing for upcoming flu and COVID-19 vaccines

Health experts and infectious disease specialists are providing guidance on the upcoming influenza and COVID-19 vaccine season. While the Food and Drug Administration has determined the composition of this season's vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not yet issued formal guidance.

In the absence of federal recommendations, major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians are recommending routine vaccination. Experts note that medical insurers have indicated they will cover the updated vaccines, meaning patients likely will not face out-of-pocket costs.

Epidemiologists suggest that for optimal protection, individuals should wait until mid-September or mid-October to receive their flu shots. Because the vaccine provides roughly six months of protection, getting vaccinated too early in August or early September may result in diminished immunity before the end of the flu season, which typically peaks between December and March.