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SICK SEASON 2026: IMMUNIZATION GUIDE

4 days ago
6 min read

Updated September 2026



Sick season is here, and there are three main respiratory viruses you should get protection from this fall and winter: COVID, Flu, and RSV. 


Immunization is the best protection available against respiratory viruses! Seasonal immunization is especially important because it helps reduce serious illness, community transmission, and strain on our health care systems.

 

At BWPC our goal is to ensure you have all of the information you need to make informed decisions about your health. Our evidence-based guide is here to help you understand how to protect yourself and your family.


If you live in California, you can access COVID-19, Flu and RSV vaccines by contacting your health plan, health care provider, local public health clinic or federally qualified health center. You can also search for a clinic on My Turn, California’s Vaccine Scheduling & Information Site.


COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to evolve and spread. Each year, new variants of the virus cause COVID-19 emerge. Staying up to date with the latest COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective and safe way to prevent severe illness.

This year’s COVID-19 vaccine formula has been updated to target XFG, an Omicron subvariant. Updated vaccines provide people with additional protection against hospitalization compared to people who didn’t get the vaccine. The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine reduced emergency department and urgent care visits by 50% and hospitalizations by 55% according to a study here.


The three vaccines available are:

  • 5 years and older: Pfizer’s COMIRNATY Covid-19 vaccine

  • 6 months and older: Moderna’s SPIKEVAX for those 6 months and older

  • 12 years and older: mNEXSPIKE or Novavax’s NUVAXOVID

Professional medical organizations such as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recognize COVID-19 vaccines as one of the best ways to protect yourself from severe illness.


  • Children:

    • All babies 6-23 months (this age group is at high risk for severe COVID-19)

    • All children 2-18 years with risk factors or were never vaccinated against COVID-19

    • All who are in close contact with others with risk factors

    • All children 2 through 18 years of age who are not high risk, but whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19


  • Adults:

    • All 65 years and older

    • All 19–64 years with risk factors

    • All who are in close contact with others with risk factors

    • All who choose to reduce risk of severe illness


  • Pregnant women: Pregnant women should get vaccinated at any point during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or while lactating.


We provide a short summary of those evidence-based recommendations in our Isolation & Vaccine Guide here: COVID-19 ISOLATION & VACCINE GUIDE

Talk with your healthcare provider about the best time and what’s available. If you were recently infected with COVID-19, it’s generally recommended to wait at least three months before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine dose.


Check out BWPC’s COVID resources:  


Flu

The annual flu shot is designed to target three strains of the flu based on predictions on what the circulating virus will be like. There are many manufactures and forms of the vaccine which all provide effective protection and reduce the risk of you getting severely sick.


This fall’s vaccine covers three strains of seasonal flu and is offered by five manufacturers. All three strains were updated for 2026-2027. Flu vaccines can reduce the risk of getting the flu by 60% and significantly reduces the risk of needing to go the hospital.

  • Note for kids: Talk to your pediatrician about what is available

    • FluMist is a great needle-free option for kids that is very effective and can be taken at home

  • Note for pregnant individuals: Avoid the nasal spray FluMist. It is a live-attenuated influenza vaccine and not recommended during pregnancy.

  • Children: All children 6 months and older

  • Pregnancy: All who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or postpartum (avoid the nasal spray)

  • Adults: All adults

It is recommended to get vaccinated right before the flu season. Because protection weakens throughout the season, October is the best time to get vaccinated.


The flu vaccine is safe for use during any trimester of pregnancy.


RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs and makes it very hard to breathe. It can cause severe illness in babies and older adults. Read more about RSV here.  


RSV monoclonal antibody for infants 

To protect infants from RSV, they can receive a type of medication called monoclonal antibodies which helps them fight the infection.


Monoclonal antibodies are not a vaccine; they don’t teach the body to make an immune response. The monoclonal antibodies available to protect against RSV are called nirsevimab and clesrovimab.

  • Babies younger than 8 months born to mothers who did not get an RSV vaccine during pregnancy.

  • High-risk babies between 8 - 19 months should also get it.


Getting a monoclonal antibody is not recommended if the mother got the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, unless the infant or child is high risk.

Between October and March (RSV season). Protection lasts approximately five months after immunization.


RSV vaccines for pregnancy and older adults 

  • Pregnant: Pfizer’s ABRYSVO vaccine is available during pregnancy. Protection is passed from the mother to the baby, so the baby is protected in the first 6 months of life, which is the riskiest time for severe RSV.

    • The vaccine is safe for use during pregnancy and is given to those who are 32-36 weeks pregnant.

    • Thousands of pregnant women got it last year, confirming the safety and high effectiveness (75-89%).

    • It is not currently recommended for pregnant people to receive an additional dose of the vaccine if they have received it during previous pregnancies.


  • For older adults: A one-time vaccine is available from GSK, Pfizer, or Moderna and is recommended for those over the age of 75 and those over 50 who are at increased risk of **severe disease.

**Note: The following medical and other conditions increase the risk of severe RSV diseaseL


  • Chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease). Excludes isolated hypertension.

  • Chronic lung or respiratory disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis).

  • End-stage renal disease or dependence on hemodialysis or other renal replacement therapy

  • Diabetes mellitus complicated by chronic kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, or other end-organ damage

  • Diabetes mellitus requiring treatment with insulin or sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

  • Neurologic or neuromuscular conditions causing impaired airway clearance or respiratory muscle weakness (e.g., post-stroke dysphagia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy). Excludes history of stroke without impaired airway clearance.

  • Chronic liver disease e.g., cirrhosis

  • Chronic hematologic conditions (e.g., sickle cell disease, thalassemia)

  • Severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2)

  • Moderate or severe immune compromise

  • Residence in a nursing home

  • Other chronic medical conditions or risk factors that a health care provider determines would increase the risk of severe disease due to viral respiratory infection (e.g., frailty, concern for presence of undiagnosed chronic medical conditions, residence in a remote or rural community where escalation of medical care is challenging).

  • Pregnant: September to January. This vaccine can be given simultaneously with other routine vaccines for pregnancy (Tdap, COVID-19, and Flu).


  • Older adults: Talk with your provider to see what the best time for you would be to get vaccinated for RSV! Getting one now should protect you throughout the entire season.

    • This is not an annual vaccine so if you got one before, you do not need one this year.

    • People aged 50 and older with high-risk conditions and everyone over 75 years should get one dose.


Who can I trust if I’m seeking accurate information about vaccines?  


BWPC relies on peer-reviewed scientific research, clinical expertise, and public health best practices to guide our positions and health education. Here are credible sources you can turn to:



2025 and 2026 Vaccine Recommendations by AAFP, ACOG, AAP, and CDPH


COVID-19:


RSV:

 

Flu:


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