This is Part 2 of our respiratory season series. In Part 1 we covered how to tell flu, cold, COVID and RSV apart. Now the prevention side: what actually changed about this year’s vaccines, who each one is for, and how to think clearly about a season when the usual federal guidance is unusually hard to find.
What Changed for 2026–27
The headline is the flu vaccine. All three components were updated this year — the most significant refresh in several seasons. That includes a deliberate change to target the influenza A(H3N2) strain informally known as “subclade K,” which spread widely last winter after this kind of strain selection had already been locked in.
In plain terms: last season’s vaccine was built before subclade K appeared, so it was aiming slightly off-target. This season’s was built with it in view. That’s the single most useful thing to know about this year’s shot.
“But didn’t the vaccine barely work last year?” That’s a fair question and the honest answer is more encouraging than the headlines suggested. Across nine studies covering 19 European countries, last season’s vaccine reduced influenza A illness by roughly 25–45% in the overall population — described by researchers as similar to other seasons — and by roughly 47–72% in children. Against a drifted strain, that’s meaningful protection, not a failure. And the point of the shot was never only to prevent every infection; it’s to make the ones that get through less likely to land you in a hospital bed.
An Unusual Year for Official Guidance
We want to be straight with you about something, because you may run into it and find it confusing.
The federal advisory committee that normally issues annual vaccine recommendations — the group whose guidance shapes what doctors advise and what insurers cover — has been paused by ongoing federal litigation since March 2026. It has not met since December 2025, and its scheduled 2026 meetings have been cancelled. As a result, there may not be a new federal influenza recommendation this season at all.
Here’s what that does not mean: it does not mean the vaccines changed, became unsafe, or stopped being reviewed. The FDA’s approval process is entirely separate and has continued normally — this year’s vaccines were approved, their composition was set in March 2026 through the usual scientific process, and supply is expected to be adequate.
What it does mean is that you may find less clear-cut public guidance than in a normal year, and that a few things patients rely on — particularly insurance coverage rules — are less settled than usual. That’s precisely why we’d rather you ask a provider who can look at your actual situation than try to piece it together from the news.
Flu Shots at AG — Every Age, Including Kids
This is the vaccine that matters most for the most people, and we have it for the whole family.
- Children and adults — we vaccinate every age group we see, so a family can come in together rather than booking three appointments in three places.
- Adults 65 and older — we carry the higher-dose formulation designed for older immune systems, which is what’s generally preferred for this age group.
- No appointment needed — walk into any of our locations, or check in online to shorten the wait.
On timing: the general aim is to be vaccinated by the end of October, before flu typically picks up. But later is genuinely better than never — flu season regularly runs into February and March, and a shot in December still has months of work to do. If October slipped past you, come anyway.
Details and hours are on our flu shots page.
RSV — The One Most People Don’t Know We Do
RSV protection has changed a great deal in the last few years, and it’s the area where we get the fewest questions and probably should get the most. AG offers the full range: RSV vaccination for eligible adults, the protective antibody for infants, and RSV testing when someone is already sick.
For adults
RSV vaccination is recommended for everyone 75 and older, and for adults aged 50 to 74 who are at increased risk — which includes people with chronic heart or lung conditions, certain other medical conditions, or weakened immune systems. Unlike the flu shot, this is not an annual vaccine and not for everyone. If you’re in either group and haven’t had it, it’s worth a conversation.
For babies
Infants under one year old are the group RSV hits hardest — it’s a leading cause of hospitalization in that age group. Protection works differently here, and there are two routes:
- Maternal vaccination during pregnancy — an RSV vaccine given between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy, which passes protection to the baby before birth.
- A protective antibody given to the baby directly — recommended for infants under 8 months whose mothers weren’t vaccinated during pregnancy, weren’t vaccinated in time, or whose status is unknown. Some higher-risk children between 8 and 19 months entering their second RSV season may also be candidates.
Most babies need one route or the other, not both. Which one applies depends on what happened during pregnancy — a short conversation sorts it out. The antibody is typically given during RSV season, roughly October through March, so now is the right time to ask.
Worth knowing: the RSV vaccines given to adults are not approved for infants or young children — babies are protected by the antibody route instead, which works differently. If you’ve been told your baby needs “the RSV shot,” it’s this antibody that’s meant, and we can give it here.
COVID-19 — Where to Go This Season
If you’re looking to be vaccinated, here’s what’s worth knowing before you go. The 2026–27 COVID vaccine was updated to target a currently circulating variant. Its FDA approval covers adults 65 and older, and people under 65 who have a medical condition that raises their risk — the specifics vary somewhat between the available products. Rules about who can receive it without a prescription in New York have shifted over the past year, so we’d suggest calling your pharmacy ahead or speaking with your primary care provider rather than assuming you can walk in. Your regular provider is also the right person to ask whether a risk condition applies to you.
About Cost and Coverage
This is the part that’s genuinely less predictable this year, so we’d rather set accurate expectations than make a promise we can’t keep.
Insurance coverage of vaccines is normally tied to those federal recommendations that are currently paused — which has raised questions about what plans are obligated to cover. In response, the major health insurance trade association announced that its member insurers would continue covering vaccines recommended as of September 1, 2025 with no cost sharing through the end of 2027, regardless of how the litigation resolves. In practice, most people with private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid should still find seasonal vaccines covered in-network at no out-of-pocket cost.
Still: check with your own plan before you assume. And if you’re uninsured or underinsured, New York State’s Vaccines for Adults program provides vaccines at no cost to eligible adults 19 and older through participating providers, though an administration fee may still apply. Our front desk is happy to help you sort out what your coverage looks like.
Talk to a provider before vaccination if you:
- Have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or any of its components in the past
- Are currently running a moderate or high fever — it’s usually worth waiting until you’re better
- Have a weakened immune system or are taking medication that suppresses it
- Are pregnant, or are planning to be — timing matters, particularly for the RSV vaccine
- Have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome
None of these automatically rules out vaccination. They’re reasons to have a two-minute conversation first, which we’re glad to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s different about this year’s flu shot?
All three components were updated compared with last season — a larger refresh than most years. That includes a change specifically aimed at the influenza A(H3N2) strain known as subclade K, which circulated widely last winter after the previous season’s vaccine had already been formulated.
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
Almost certainly not. The general aim is to be vaccinated by the end of October, but flu season commonly runs into February and March. A vaccination in November, December, or later still offers protection for the remainder of the season. Later is better than never.
Do you give flu shots to children?
Yes. We vaccinate children and adults at all of our Brooklyn and Queens locations, so families can come in together. For adults 65 and older, we also carry the higher-dose formulation intended for older immune systems.
Who should get the RSV vaccine?
For adults, RSV vaccination is recommended for everyone 75 and older, and for adults 50 to 74 who are at increased risk because of chronic heart or lung conditions, certain other medical conditions, or a weakened immune system. It is not an annual vaccine. Infants are protected differently — either through maternal vaccination during pregnancy or a protective antibody given to the baby. We offer all of these.
Why is there so little clear guidance about vaccines this year?
The federal advisory committee that normally issues annual vaccine recommendations has been paused by ongoing litigation since March 2026 and has not met since December 2025. That affects the publication of recommendations, not the vaccines themselves — FDA approval and the scientific process that sets each year’s formulation have continued normally. It does mean less clear public guidance than usual, which is a good reason to ask a provider about your own situation.
Can I get more than one vaccine in the same visit?
Often yes, and it’s a common way to save a trip. Whether it’s appropriate depends on which vaccines, your age, and your medical history — so it’s a question for the provider you see, who can advise on what makes sense for you.
Coming Up in This Series
Next time we tackle the question that sends people searching at two in the morning: when does a respiratory illness belong in urgent care, and when does it belong in an emergency room? After that, the school-season sick cycle in kids, and what higher-risk adults should be doing differently.
In the meantime, if a flu shot or an RSV question is on your list, come see us. We’re open seven days a week across Brooklyn and Queens — walk in, or check in online.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Vaccine eligibility depends on your age, medical history, pregnancy status, and individual risk factors, and can only be determined by a qualified healthcare provider who knows your situation. Vaccine recommendations, regulatory status, and insurance coverage rules are subject to change — confirm current information with official sources, your insurer, and a licensed provider. Nothing here should be used to decide for or against vaccination without a clinical conversation. In a medical emergency, call 911.