CDC Recommends Enhanced Flu Vaccines for Seniors in 2026 Season

Adults age 65 and older are being advised to receive enhanced influenza vaccines for the 2026-2027 flu season, while healthcare experts and the CDC recommend reviewing protection against RSV, pneumonia, shingles, and COVID-19.

According to health guidance cited by multiple outlets, seniors face higher risks from influenza because immune responses weaken with age. Older adults account for 70% to 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths and 50% to 70% of flu-related hospitalizations in recent years, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends three enhanced flu vaccine options for adults 65 and older: Fluzone High-Dose, Fluad adjuvanted influenza vaccine, and Flublok recombinant influenza vaccine. The agency does not rank the three as superior to each other.

Adam James, PharmD, a pharmacist managing clinical immunization and travel health programs, said age is the main factor when selecting influenza vaccines. Enhanced options are available for older adults, while nasal formulations are limited to younger age groups.

"The optimal timing is now. In general, we tell individuals, and this correlates with everything from our trusted professional organizations, the CDC and AAP, that we want [vaccination] between September and October. In general, we want to avoid earlier vaccination unless there's a transportation barrier where the patient may have trouble getting back, it's a child who's starting a 2-dose series, or it's a pregnant person who may need to get their vaccine in the third trimester, and that would pass by the time September or October occurred.

Now, the one thing I do like to call out is that although we say ideal timing is September or October, that doesn't mean that past those times it becomes less effective. It's still just as effective. Flu season continues the whole way through, normally to February or March, even into April in some seasons.

So, even if you miss that September-October timeline, you should still get one later in the season," said Adam James, PharmD.

James noted that vaccination remains useful even after the ideal September and October period because influenza activity can continue into later months. The 2026-2027 season guidance also highlights that vaccines can often be reviewed during the same visit.

"Oh, I've been sick before," said Adam James, PharmD.

Other recommended protections include RSV vaccination for adults 75 and older and certain adults ages 50 to 74 at higher risk, according to CDC recommendations. Pneumococcal vaccines such as Prevnar 20 and Capvaxive are also recommended options for eligible adults.

Medicare coverage supports preventive vaccination access, with Medicare Part B covering seasonal flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and certain pneumococcal vaccines. Medicare Part D covers RSV and shingles vaccines.