The best time to get your flu shot 2026-2027 is before the end of October, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and this year’s lineup includes a first: a new mRNA flu vaccine approved for adults 50 and older. Here is a plain-English guide to who should get which vaccine, when, and whether you can combine them in one visit.
The guidance below comes from a Johns Hopkins Medicine fall vaccine guide published September 25, 2026 and medically reviewed by Lisa Maragakis, M.D. It is general information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or pharmacist knows your health history best.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot 2026-2027?
Most people 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, so the flu shot 2026-2027 applies to nearly everyone in the household. The vaccine is reformulated each year, so last year’s shot does not carry over.
Two adult groups have extra options. Adults 65 and older may receive a higher-dose or adjuvanted vaccine, according to Johns Hopkins. Adults 50 and older now have access to a new mRNA flu vaccine called mFLUSIVA.
Parents of young children should know the guidance differs a little for kids, including how many doses a child needs. We cover that in our separate children’s guide. This article focuses on adults.
When to Get Your Flu Shot: The October Target
Johns Hopkins says to aim to be vaccinated before the end of October. That timing helps your body build protection before flu activity climbs.
Missing October is not a reason to skip the flu shot 2026-2027. Johns Hopkins notes that flu season often peaks between December and February and can run into May, so a later shot still helps.
Flu season may already be showing up in some places. See our report on the early flu season and why experts urge vaccination now.
Which Flu Shot 2026-2027 Options Exist?
Here is what the Hopkins guide and the American Academy of Pediatrics describe for this season.
- Standard injections: The familiar flu shot, available for most people 6 months and older.
- Nasal spray: An option for people ages 2 to 49 who are not pregnant and have no underlying health conditions, per Johns Hopkins.
- Higher-dose or adjuvanted vaccines: May be given to adults 65 and older.
- mFLUSIVA (mRNA): Approved for adults 50 and older.
The AAP also reports that every flu vaccine in the United States this season is trivalent. The brand Afluria is no longer available. Trivalent means the vaccine targets three viruses instead of four.
What Does the 2026-27 Flu Vaccine Protect Against?
According to Johns Hopkins, the 2026-27 vaccines protect against two influenza A viruses and one influenza B/Victoria virus. In practice, that is the whole point of the annual update: the shot is matched to the viruses experts expect to circulate.
Matching is never perfect, and protection varies from person to person. Even so, vaccination remains the standard recommendation for most people.
The New mRNA Flu Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older
mFLUSIVA is the headline change in this year’s flu shot 2026-2027 lineup. Johns Hopkins lists it as approved for adults 50 and older.
mRNA vaccines teach your cells to make a harmless piece of a virus so your immune system can recognize it. That technology became widely known through COVID-19 vaccines. Whether you should choose mFLUSIVA over a standard or higher-dose option is a question for your clinician.
Our sources do not include head-to-head comparisons, price details or insurance coverage for mFLUSIVA, so we are not guessing at those. Ask your pharmacy what it stocks and what your plan covers before you go.
Can You Get Flu, COVID and RSV Vaccines at the Same Visit?
Often yes. Johns Hopkins says flu and COVID vaccines can usually be given at the same visit. It also says all three vaccines (flu, COVID and RSV) can be given at the same visit if you are eligible for each.
Bundling your flu shot 2026-2027 with other vaccines can save a trip, but it is your call. If you prefer to space them out, talk to your provider about a schedule.
COVID-19 vaccine 2026-27
Johns Hopkins recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the 2026-27 COVID vaccine. It singles out these groups as especially important:
- Adults 65 and older
- People at high risk
- Long-term-care residents
- People who have never been vaccinated
- People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Children 6 to 23 months
Four products are listed by age: Spikevax (6 months and older), Comirnaty (5 and older), mNexspike (12 and older) and Nuvaxovid (12 and older). For eligibility and cost details, see our guide to the COVID vaccine for 2026-2027, including insurance.
RSV vaccine
Johns Hopkins describes RSV protection this way:
- Adults 75 and older, and adults 50 to 74 at increased risk, get a single dose.
- If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need another.
- Pregnant people are vaccinated at 32 to 36 weeks.
- Infants may need a long-acting antibody before 8 months of age.
If a baby is coming into your household, read our explainer on RSV in babies and how to protect a newborn this fall.
Flu Shot 2026-2027 Myths, Answered
These are common questions, answered with general background. None of it replaces advice from your clinician.
Can the flu shot give me the flu?
Injected flu vaccines do not contain a live, working virus that can cause flu. Some people feel sore at the injection site or tired for a day or two as the immune system responds. That is different from the illness.
Is it too late if I miss October?
No. As noted above, Johns Hopkins says the season often peaks from December to February and can last into May, so a later shot still offers value.
Do I need a new flu shot every year?
Yes, for most people, which is why the flu shot 2026-2027 is a new decision each fall. The vaccine is updated annually, and recommendations call for yearly vaccination.
Should I wait for a specific brand?
For children, the AAP says not to delay vaccination to get a specific product. For adults, the practical advice is similar: ask what is available and eligible for you, and do not put it off. A pharmacist or doctor can help you choose.
A Simple Fall Vaccine Calendar
This is a planning template built from the timing guidance above, not a prescription. Adjust it with your clinician.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| This week | Book your flu shot 2026-2027 and check eligibility for flu, COVID and RSV. Call your doctor or pharmacy about availability and coverage. |
| By late October | Get your flu shot 2026-2027. If eligible, add the COVID vaccine at the same visit. |
| Any time if eligible | RSV vaccine: one dose for adults 75 and older, or 50 to 74 at increased risk, unless already vaccinated. |
| November through winter | Still unvaccinated? Go anyway. Flu season often runs December through February and can last into May. |
What We Do Not Know Yet
The sources we reviewed do not cover everything readers ask. We could not confirm:
- Out-of-pocket costs or insurance coverage for mFLUSIVA.
- Expected vaccine effectiveness for the 2026-27 season.
- Local flu activity where you live.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued interim guidance for the 2026-27 season, but we have not verified its details. Check cdc.gov for the latest official recommendations.
Your Action Plan for the Flu Shot 2026-2027
Here is the short version for busy readers:
- Plan to get your flu shot 2026-2027 before the end of October.
- Ask about higher-dose or adjuvanted options if you are 65 or older, and about mFLUSIVA if you are 50 or older.
- If you are eligible, ask about COVID and RSV vaccines so you can handle everything in one visit.
- Missed October? Go anyway, since flu season can stretch into May.
- Read the full source guide from Johns Hopkins Medicine and confirm details with your own clinician.
Staying healthy through the fall also means the basics. Our look at sleep and longevity is a good reminder that rest matters too.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about which vaccines are right for you.
