2025 Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
Do you have questions about what to expect during this year’s vaccines? As your partner in health, we’re answering your commonly asked questions about flu and COVID-19 virulence and how you can best protect yourself and others.
Who should get the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine?
On 10/07/2025 the CDC issued its recommendation for the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccines, individuals aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive the updated vaccine through shared-clinical decision making with a health care provider, such as a pharmacist or physician. A prescription is no longer required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in any state across the United States.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for all young children ages 6-23 months and pregnant individuals this upcoming fall.
| 65 years and older | 5 – 64 years old | Under 5 years old | |
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Are the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines safe? What are the side effects?
There is vast experience with both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines demonstrating their safety and effectiveness. The potential benefits including reducing the risk of infection, severe illness and even death, outweigh any potential harms. You cannot get the actual illness from the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Potential mild side effects may include sore arm and a low-grade fever, but these usually go away within 1-2 days. Severe adverse reactions to both vaccines are extremely rare. While some people have developed heart problems after an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, including myocarditis or pericarditis, the risk is extremely low. There is no risk of developing myocarditis or pericarditis after an influenza vaccine.
Where can I get these vaccines?
Flu vaccines will be available at the Barclays Health Centers this Fall.
The updated COVID-19 vaccines are currently available at many major retail pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens, and they are full covered by insurance plans. If you are interested in exploring resources for vaccination, we recommend checking availability and finding additional information at vaccinefinder.org.
When can I get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines?
It is recommended to get the flu vaccine in September or October to be protected for the fall respiratory season. However, people should get a vaccine whenever they can even if it is later in the season. In general, COVID-19 vaccines are typically recommended in the fall, September or October, before the respiratory virus season begins. However, they can still be given later in the fall and winter.
Flu vaccines are currently available at doctors’ offices and major retail pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS.
Can I get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time?
Yes, you can get your COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time. However, you may want to get the shots in different arms.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine be covered by insurance?
Yes, with the CDC’s recent recommendation, the updated COVID-19 vaccines will be fully covered by insurance plans.
When can I get the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine, if I had COVID-19 this summer?
If you recently had COVID-19 and you are advised to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, you should wait 4-6 months before getting an updated vaccine.
Recent infection from COVID-19 provides protection against COVID-19 but protection will decrease over time.
What is the difference between an mRNA (Moderna/ Pfizer) and protein subunit based (Novavax) vaccine?
An mRNA vaccine uses messenger (“m”) RNA created in the lab to teach our own cells to make a spike protein that is found on COVID-19 cells. These spike proteins then trigger our immune response to create antibodies, which provide protection against infection.
A protein subunit-based vaccine contains pieces of spike protein found in COVID-19 cells. These spike proteins trigger our immune response to create antibodies.
The COVID-19 vaccines do not use any live virus and cannot cause infection of COVID-19.
If I’m eligible for a vaccine, which updated COVID-19 vaccine should I get?
We recommend getting whichever vaccine is available. Beyond the difference in age criteria and composition, there are no practical differences in effectiveness or safety between the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. While the mRNA vaccines target Omicron LP.8.1, a slightly more recent strain that started to circulate widely in spring 2024, the JN.1 strain that the Novavax vaccine targets is also a good match to the strains circulating right now because LP.8.1 has descended from JN.1.
If you are currently eligible and have questions about which vaccine you should receive, we recommend speaking to your health care provider for more information.
2025-2026 Vaccine Summary
| What are my options? | Am I eligible? | Is it effective? | When should I get it? |
Is it safe? |
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| Influenza | One vaccine dose that targets three strains of seasonal flu | Everyone 6 months and older | Typically reduces risk of illness by 40–60% | October |
All immunization products have gone through rigorous safety testing before they are approved for use. Regulators also continue strict safety monitoring on approved products. |
| COVID-19 | Updated Pfizer / Moderna / Novavax vaccines (JN.1-lineage vaccines) | Everyone 65 years and older Anyone 64 years and younger with one underlying condition |
Last year, the fall COVID-19 vaccine provided 30–46% additional effectiveness against severe illness. Updated vaccines elicit stronger immune responses against newer strains. |
If you want to prevent severe disease, get it anytime. If you want to protect against infection, get it right before a COVID-19 wave (timing is hard). Wait 3–4 months after a COVID-19 infection. |
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| RSV (Adults) | GSK / Moderna’s / Pfizer | Everyone 75 years and older Adults ages 50–74 at increased risk of severe RSV disease |
During the 2023–2024 RSV season, the RSV vaccines were 70–80% effective against hospitalizations in the first 4 months and 50–70% over 12 months. | Any time of year, but most benefit in late summer or early fall | |
| RSV (Pregnancy) | Pfizer | Pregnant people (to protect baby in the first 6 months of life) | 82% efficacy against hospitalization in first 3 months of life; 69% after 6 months | At 32–36 weeks of pregnancy during September through January |