2026–2027 FLU VACCINES ARE HERE!

For most people, September and October are ideal months to receive a flu vaccine.

Adults—particularly those 65 and older—generally should not vaccinate too early in July or August because protection can decrease over time. But if getting vaccinated later may be difficult, getting vaccinated earlier is better than missing the opportunity altogether.

And if October has already passed, it is not too late. Vaccination should continue while influenza viruses are circulating.

Annual flu vaccination is recommended for most people 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions.

Flu vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious complications, including older adults, young children, pregnant patients, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

Flu vaccines are updated as influenza viruses change.

For the 2026–2027 season, all three influenza virus components were updated compared with last season, including an update targeting the A(H3N2) virus that circulated widely during the 2025–26 season.

All U.S. flu vaccines this season are trivalent, meaning they are designed to protect against three influenza viruses.

It depends primarily on your age, health history, eligibility, and personal preference.

For most people under 65, CDC does not preferentially recommend one age-appropriate flu vaccine over another.

For adults 65 and older, CDC preferentially recommends one of three types: a high-dose vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, or an adjuvanted vaccine such as Fluad or enhanced flu vaccine: Moderna’s new mFLUSIVA. If one of those is not available, another age-appropriate vaccine can still be used.

At Skippack Pharmacy, we carry multiple options and have them based on age.

mFLUSIVA is Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine. It uses the same type of mRNA technology many people became familiar with from COVID vaccines, but it is designed specifically to protect against seasonal influenza.

Instead of using a live flu virus, mFLUSIVA gives your body temporary instructions to recognize key proteins from the flu strains expected to circulate that season. Your immune system then learns what to look for and can respond more quickly if you are exposed to influenza.

mFLUSIVA is FDA-approved for adults 65 years and older.

Think of it as a new way of delivering a flu vaccine—the goal is the same, but the technology used to teach your immune system is different.

They’re both flu vaccines for this year, but they teach your immune system in different ways.

Fluad is the more traditional type of flu shot. It contains pieces of the flu virus that your immune system can recognize, plus an ingredient called an adjuvant that gives the immune system an extra “wake-up call.” It was specifically designed for people 65 and older, whose immune systems may not respond as strongly to a standard flu vaccine. Fluad is also one of the flu vaccines CDC preferentially recommends for people 65+.

Moderna mFLUSIVA is the newer option and uses mRNA technology, similar to the technology many people are familiar with from COVID vaccines. Instead of giving your body a piece of the flu virus, it gives your cells temporary instructions to make a harmless flu protein. Your immune system sees that protein, learns what to look for, and then the instructions naturally break down. There is no flu virus in the vaccine. mFLUSIVA is approved for adults 50 and older.

The easiest way to think about it is:

Fluad: “Here is what the flu looks like — and here’s an extra wake-up signal to make sure your immune system pays attention.”

mFLUSIVA: “Here are temporary instructions so your body can make a picture of the flu target and learn what to recognize.”

Both are designed to prepare your immune system before you encounter the real flu virus, and neither can give you the flu.

Common reactions to flu vaccination can include:

• Pain or soreness where the vaccine was given
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Occasionally fever or chills

Most vaccine reactions are temporary and resolve on their own.

With mFLUSIVA specifically, clinical trials commonly reported injection-site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and joint aches; most reactions were mild or moderate and lasted about two days.

Yes.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines may be given during the same visit when you are eligible for each.

If you prefer to separate them, that’s okay too. There is no required minimum waiting period between flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccination.

You could also add:

Pneumonia, shingles and many other routine vaccines can often be given during the same visit as well.

Yes.

For adults who are due for pneumococcal vaccination, pneumococcal and flu vaccines can generally be administered during the same visit at separate injection sites.

This is especially useful on your site because your 65+ patients may come in thinking only about flu and discover they’re also due for pneumonia.

Yes. We offer age-appropriate flu vaccination for children. Children under age 3 require an appointment during one of our designated nurse-supported vaccine clinics.

It depends on your child’s age and previous flu vaccination history.

Some children ages 6 months through 8 years who are being vaccinated for the first time—or who have not previously received enough flu vaccine doses—need two doses at least four weeks apart.

Our team can help determine whether your child needs one dose or two.

Yes.

Flu vaccination is recommended during pregnancy because pregnant patients are at increased risk for serious influenza complications.

An inactivated or recombinant flu vaccine can be given during any trimester during flu season. The nasal spray FluMist should not be used during pregnancy.

Yes.

People with an egg allergy can receive any flu vaccine that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status, including people with a history of severe egg allergy.  Please email us at clinic@skippackpharmacy.com with any specific concerns.

CDC no longer recommends additional precautions solely because of egg allergy beyond the precautions used for any vaccination.

Appointments are recommended because completing your registration ahead of time helps us prepare your vaccine and makes your visit faster.

Walk-ins are also welcome during designated vaccine hours.

Children under age 3 require an appointment during a nurse-supported clinic.

Yes. Families are welcome to schedule together. Complete an appointment for each person and select appointment times as close together as possible.

Possibly! FluMist is a needle-free flu vaccine that is sprayed into the nose instead of given as a shot. It is FDA-approved for people ages 5 through 49.

FluMist isn’t right for everyone because it contains a weakened live flu virus. People who are pregnant, immunocompromised, age 50+, and some people with asthma or certain medical conditions should receive a flu shot instead.

No.

Injectable flu vaccines do not cause influenza. The vaccines are designed to train your immune system to recognize influenza viruses before you’re exposed to them.

Some people experience temporary symptoms such as soreness, fatigue, headache or mild fever after vaccination as their immune system responds.

There are two major reasons:

Flu viruses change, so the vaccine is periodically updated to better match circulating viruses.

And protection decreases over time, which is why annual vaccination is recommended.

Usually, yes.

Multiple influenza viruses can circulate during the same season, so infection with one does not necessarily protect you against the others.

If you’re currently ill, tell our pharmacist before vaccination so we can determine whether you should vaccinate that day or wait until you’re feeling better.

Yes.

Skippack Pharmacy works through community programs and vaccine-access initiatives to help make flu vaccination available regardless of insurance status.

If you are uninsured or unsure about coverage, contact us:

clinic@skippackpharmacy.com
610-584-7937