Updated October 15, 2026
What vaccines are recommended for fall 2026? For the 2026–27 season, CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older and a 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccine for adults 18 and older. RSV vaccination is recommended once for adults 75 and older and for adults 50 to 74 at increased risk. Most insurers have committed to covering recommended vaccines at no cost through the end of 2027.
Vaccine guidance has changed more in the past two years than in the decade before, and some federal changes are now tied up in court. This guide explains what’s recommended this season, what’s covered, and where to get vaccinated with or without insurance. Because guidance can shift, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what’s right for you.
Key Takeaways
- Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Adults 65 and older should get a high-dose, recombinant, or adjuvanted flu vaccine if one is available.
- CDC recommends the 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccine for adults 18 and older. For most children, it’s a decision to make with your child’s doctor.
- A March 2026 court order paused several federal vaccine changes, including the January 2026 childhood schedule. Earlier recommendations remain in effect while the government appeals.
- Insurers in AHIP, the national health plan trade group, have pledged to cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines with no cost-sharing through the end of 2027.
- Uninsured? Children can get free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program, and health departments and community health centers offer low-cost options for adults.
Where Federal Vaccine Guidance Stands in 2026
In 2025, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises CDC on vaccine recommendations, was replaced with new members, and the new committee voted on several changes. In January 2026, HHS also released a revised childhood schedule that reduced the number of routinely recommended childhood vaccines.
On March 16, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts blocked the January 2026 childhood schedule changes, paused the appointments of 13 ACIP members, and stayed the votes taken by the reconstituted committee (Georgetown CCF). That means the recommendations in place before those changes are the ones that apply for now. The government appealed, and a federal appeals court heard arguments on October 6, 2026. A ruling could change what’s recommended, so check back or ask your provider before your next visit.
Fall 2026 Vaccine Recommendations
Flu
- Who: Everyone 6 months and older, every year.
- When: Ideally by the end of October, but getting vaccinated later in the season still helps. Flu season usually peaks between December and February.
- Adults 65 and older: A high-dose, recombinant, or adjuvanted flu vaccine is preferred.
- Children 6 months to 8 years: May need two doses, four weeks apart, if they’ve never been vaccinated or haven’t had at least two doses in the past.
- Egg allergy: People with an egg allergy can receive any flu vaccine appropriate for their age.
COVID-19
- Adults 18 and older: CDC recommends a 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccine (CDC).
- Children 6 months to 17 years: Recommended for children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. For other children, vaccination is a shared decision with your child’s doctor, with the most benefit for children at higher risk of severe illness.
- Higher-risk groups: Adults 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems, and people living in long-term care facilities are at the highest risk of severe COVID-19. Ask your provider whether you need more than one dose.
RSV
- Adults: One dose for adults 75 and older and for adults 50 to 74 at increased risk, such as those with heart or lung disease or diabetes. If you’ve already had an RSV vaccine, you don’t need another dose.
- Pregnancy: An RSV vaccine at 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy helps protect the baby after birth.
- Infants: If the mother wasn’t vaccinated during pregnancy, babies younger than 8 months can get a long-acting RSV antibody, such as nirsevimab or clesrovimab, before or during their first RSV season.
You can usually get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit.
Other Vaccine Changes to Know
- Pneumococcal vaccine at 50: Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for all adults 50 and older, down from 65. See our guide to health screenings and vaccines by age.
- New meningococcal combination vaccine: A five-in-one vaccine (MenABCWY) is an option for some adolescents and young adults who need both meningococcal vaccines.
- Chikungunya vaccine for travelers: FDA suspended the license for Ixchiq in August 2025 after serious adverse events in older adults (Illinois AAP). Vimkunya, approved for people 12 and older, remains available. Talk with a travel clinic before trips to affected areas.
- Thimerosal: Most flu vaccines in the U.S. come in single-dose, thimerosal-free form.
What Insurance Covers
- Private insurance: ACA-compliant plans must cover ACIP-recommended vaccines with no cost-sharing when you use an in-network provider. AHIP member plans have pledged to keep covering all ACIP-recommended vaccines, including those recommended through shared decision-making, with no cost-sharing through the end of 2027 (Immunize.org).
- Medicare Part B: Covers flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines, and hepatitis B vaccines for people at intermediate or high risk, at no cost.
- Medicare Part D: Covers other recommended adult vaccines, such as shingles, RSV, and Tdap, with no out-of-pocket cost.
- Medicaid: Covers recommended vaccines for children, and state Medicaid programs must cover ACIP-recommended adult vaccines with no cost-sharing.
Coverage depends on where you get vaccinated. Confirm that your pharmacy or clinic is in network, especially for vaccines given at a doctor’s office. Our guide on how to check if a provider is in network can help, and our preventive care guide explains why a “free” visit can sometimes come with a bill.
Getting Vaccinated With or Without Insurance
- Vaccines for Children (VFC): Provides free vaccines to children 18 and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian or Alaska Native.
- Local health departments: Often offer free or low-cost vaccines for adults and children.
- Community health centers: Offer sliding-scale fees based on income.
- Retail pharmacies: Offer most adult vaccines and often bill insurance directly.
The CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which offered free COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured adults, ended in August 2024. For school requirements, see our guide to immunizations required for school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine this fall?
CDC recommends a 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccine for adults 18 and older. For most children, it’s a shared decision with their doctor. People 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems should ask their provider about timing and whether they need more than one dose.
When should I get a flu shot?
Ideally by the end of October, before flu season peaks. Getting vaccinated later in the season still offers protection.
Are vaccines still free with insurance?
For most people, yes. ACA-compliant plans must cover ACIP-recommended vaccines at no cost from in-network providers, and AHIP member plans have pledged to keep covering them, including shared decision-making vaccines, with no cost-sharing through the end of 2027.
Which childhood vaccine schedule is in effect?
A March 2026 court order blocked the January 2026 changes to the childhood schedule, so the recommendations in place before those changes apply while the case is on appeal. Your child’s pediatrician can confirm what’s due.
What vaccines does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part B covers flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines, and hepatitis B vaccines for people at increased risk. Part D covers other recommended adult vaccines, such as shingles, RSV, and Tdap, with no out-of-pocket cost.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
Children can get free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. Adults can check local health departments, community health centers, and pharmacies for free or low-cost options.
Learn More with Patient.com
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