Flu Shot 2026-27: Who Should Get It, Timing and Where to Go Free
The CDC still recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Here is when to get it, which type fits you, where to get it free, and how it compares with COVID and RSV shots.
Updated October 2026. For the 2026-27 flu season, the CDC still recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older who has no medical reason to skip it, ideally in September or October. If you have not had yours yet, late October and November are still worthwhile. This guide covers who should get vaccinated, the best timing, which shot fits which age group, where to get it free or at low cost, and how the flu shot compares with COVID-19 and RSV vaccines this fall.
Quick answer: Get a flu shot every year if you are 6 months or older, unless your doctor says otherwise. September or October is ideal, but vaccination is still recommended later in the season while flu is circulating. Adults 65 and older should ask for a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted vaccine. Most private insurance plans and Medicare cover the flu shot with no out-of-pocket cost at in-network providers. This article is general information; talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Key Takeaways
- CDC interim guidance dated September 1, 2026 keeps the routine annual flu vaccine recommendation for everyone 6 months and older.
- This season’s U.S. flu vaccines are trivalent, protecting against two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain, with updated components.
- Children 6 months through 8 years may need two doses at least four weeks apart if they have not had two doses before.
- Pregnant people can get an inactivated or recombinant flu shot in any trimester; the nasal spray is not used in pregnancy.
- Federal guidance on COVID-19 and RSV vaccines has been in flux in 2026, so check current advice with your doctor or pharmacist.
What the CDC Recommends for 2026-27
The CDC’s interim clinical considerations for seasonal flu vaccines, published September 1, 2026, say that the flu recommendations from its July 2025 immunization schedules remain in effect for the 2026-27 season. The agency cites legal uncertainties around changes to its vaccine advisory committee, which have been the subject of federal court action this year. For ordinary readers, the bottom line has not changed: routine annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older without a contraindication.
Each person should get a vaccine that is FDA-licensed and appropriate for their age and health status. The vaccines available this season are trivalent, covering an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus and an influenza B/Victoria virus. The CDC notes that the FDA updated the components for all three viruses compared with last season’s vaccines, which is one reason last year’s shot does not carry over.
Who Especially Should Not Skip It
Everyone 6 months and older is included in the recommendation, but flu is more likely to cause serious illness in some groups. The CDC highlights these people, and those who live with or care for them:
- Children 6 months through 4 years old.
- Adults 50 and older, and especially those 65 and older.
- People with chronic conditions such as asthma and other lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and neurological conditions.
- People with weakened immune systems.
- Pregnant people and those up to two weeks after delivery.
- Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
- Health care workers and household contacts of anyone in a higher-risk group, including caregivers of babies under 6 months, who are too young to be vaccinated.
A small number of people should not get a flu vaccine or should check with a doctor first, such as anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine. If you have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome within weeks of a flu shot, or you have any other serious health concern about vaccination, discuss your options with your doctor before your appointment rather than at the pharmacy counter.
When to Get Your Flu Shot
The CDC says vaccination is ideally done in September or October, before flu usually starts spreading widely. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for protection to build up. Flu activity in the U.S. most often peaks between December and February, though it can run into spring.
| Situation | Recommended timing |
|---|---|
| Most adults | September or October; still worthwhile later while flu is circulating |
| Adults 65 and older | September or October; July and August are generally not recommended because protection may fade before the season ends |
| Children who need two doses | First dose as soon as vaccine is available; second dose at least four weeks later, ideally by the end of October |
| Pregnant, third trimester | Vaccination in July or August can be considered to help protect the baby after birth |
| Missed the window | Get vaccinated anyway in November, December or later; CDC says vaccination should continue while flu viruses circulate |
Do not get a second flu shot in the same season if you are already fully vaccinated; the CDC does not recommend revaccination. If you are sick with more than a mild illness, wait until you feel better.
Which Flu Vaccine Is Right for You
Several types of flu vaccine are licensed in the U.S. Your pharmacist or doctor will pick one based on your age and health, but it helps to know the options.
| Group | What the CDC says |
|---|---|
| Children 6 months to 8 years | Age-appropriate shot or, from age 2, the nasal spray if suitable. Two doses at least four weeks apart if they have not previously received two doses before July 1, 2026, or if their history is unknown. |
| Healthy people 2 to 49 | Any age-appropriate shot, or the nasal spray vaccine (FluMist) if no precautions apply. |
| Adults 50 to 64 | Any age-appropriate inactivated or recombinant vaccine; no single product is preferred. |
| Adults 65 and older | Preferred: high-dose inactivated, recombinant, or adjuvanted vaccine. If none is available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine. |
| Pregnant people | Inactivated or recombinant vaccine in any trimester. The nasal spray should not be used during pregnancy but can be used after delivery. |
The at-home nasal spray option
The FDA has approved FluMist for self-administration. Through the FluMist Home program, adults 18 to 49 can give it to themselves, and an adult caregiver can give it to children 2 to 17. It requires an eligibility check and is shipped under temperature-controlled conditions. The same recommendations and precautions apply as at a clinic, so it is not suitable for everyone, including pregnant people and some people with certain health conditions.
Where to Get a Flu Shot Free or Cheap
For most Americans with insurance, the flu shot costs nothing out of pocket. Here are the main routes:
- Private insurance. Most health plans cover recommended vaccines, including the annual flu shot, at no cost when you use an in-network pharmacy or doctor. AHIP, the health insurers’ trade group, said in September 2025 that its member plans would keep covering vaccines recommended as of September 1, 2025, including flu shots, with no cost-sharing through the end of 2026. Ask your plan what applies for 2027.
- Medicare. Medicare Part B covers one flu shot per flu season, generally with no cost to you when the provider accepts Medicare.
- Medicaid and CHIP. These programs cover recommended vaccines. Rules vary somewhat by state.
- Vaccines for Children program. Eligible children, including those who are uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid, can get vaccines at no cost from participating providers.
- Pharmacies. Most chain and independent pharmacies give flu shots, often without an appointment. Use Vaccines.gov to find pharmacies near your ZIP code, then call or check online for availability.
- Local health departments and community health centers. Many offer free or low-cost flu clinics, especially for uninsured adults. Search your county health department’s website.
- Your workplace or school. Many employers and colleges host free on-site clinics in the fall.
What to expect at the appointment
Expect a short screening form asking about allergies, past reactions and current illness, then the shot itself, which takes seconds. Pharmacies commonly ask you to wait nearby for about 15 minutes afterward. Keep the record or ask for it to be added to your state immunization registry, so your doctor can see it later.
Without insurance, cash prices at retail pharmacies vary by location and vaccine type, and the preferred vaccines for people 65 and older usually cost more than standard-dose shots. Call ahead for a price and ask about discount programs.
Flu vs. COVID-19 vs. RSV Vaccines This Fall
Fall is respiratory virus season, and many people are offered more than one vaccine. Here is how they compare, based on information available in October 2026.
| Flu | COVID-19 | RSV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Everyone 6 months and older (CDC) | FDA-approved 2026-27 vaccines are labeled for adults 65+ and for younger people with at least one high-risk condition; federal recommendations have been in flux | Adults 75+, and adults 50 to 74 at increased risk (CDC); maternal vaccine or infant antibody to protect babies |
| How often | Every year | Check current guidance with your provider | One dose for adults; not currently an annual vaccine |
| Best timing | September to October, or later if missed | Ask your provider | Late summer to early fall (August to October in most of the U.S.), but available any time |
| Same visit as flu shot? | Not applicable | Ask your provider | Ask your provider |
The CDC’s flu guidance notes that inactivated and recombinant flu vaccines can generally be given at the same visit as other vaccines, at separate injection sites. For COVID-19 and RSV specifics, check the CDC’s current pages, such as its RSV vaccine guidance for adults, and ask your doctor or pharmacist. Several medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have also issued their own recommendations this season.
Tips for Employers and Small Business Owners
Flu season hits small teams hard: one sick employee can mean a closed shop for a day. A few low-effort steps help:
- Share where to get vaccinated. Post a short note with nearby pharmacies and the reminder that most insurance covers the shot.
- Offer paid time to get vaccinated. An hour of paid time removes the most common excuse.
- Consider an on-site clinic. Pharmacies and occupational health providers run workplace clinics for groups; ask about minimums and how they bill insurance.
- Keep it voluntary and private. Encourage vaccination, but check federal and state rules and talk to an employment attorney before requiring it or asking about vaccination status.
- Update your sick-day message. Tell staff to stay home when sick and explain how coverage works, so nobody feels pressured to come in with a fever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to get a flu shot in November or December?
No. The CDC says vaccination should continue throughout the season as long as flu viruses are circulating. A shot in November or December still protects you during the usual peak months.
Can I get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?
The CDC’s flu guidance says inactivated and recombinant flu vaccines can be given with other vaccines at separate sites. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and timing for you this season.
Does the flu shot give you the flu?
No. Flu shots contain inactivated virus or a single protein, which cannot cause flu. Some people get a sore arm, a low fever or aches for a day or two, which are common side effects.
How long does it take for the flu shot to work?
About two weeks for your body to build protective antibodies. That is why getting vaccinated before flu spreads widely in your area is ideal.
Which flu shot should adults over 65 get?
The CDC prefers a high-dose inactivated, recombinant or adjuvanted flu vaccine for people 65 and older. If none is available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine is better than none.
Is the flu shot free at pharmacies?
For most people with private insurance, Medicare Part B or Medicaid, yes, at participating in-network pharmacies. Bring your insurance card and ask the pharmacy to confirm before your appointment.
Book It This Week
If you have not had a flu shot yet this season, pick a pharmacy or clinic now and put it on the calendar; it takes about 15 minutes and is usually free with insurance. Bring your insurance card, wear a short-sleeved shirt, and ask about any other vaccines you may be due for. This guide is general information, not medical advice: please consult your doctor or pharmacist about the right vaccines and timing for you and your family, and check the CDC’s website for the latest guidance.
