Key points
- Health care providers are the most trusted source of health information for their patients.
- Immunization against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the best way to protect patients against severe disease.
- Use the updated information and resources below to help your patients stay safe this fall and winter respiratory virus season.
- Health care providers are the most trusted source of health information for their patients.
- Immunization against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the best way to protect patients against severe disease.
- Use the updated information and resources below to help your patients stay safe this fall and winter respiratory virus season.
Immunization recommendations for 2024–2025 season
Patients should receive all their recommended vaccines in a timely way to help protect them against these major respiratory diseases this fall and winter virus season.
COVID-19 and influenza
Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine and seasonal influenza vaccine.
RSV
Infants, children, and pregnant people
All infants should be protected against severe RSV disease through one of the following (only one is indicated in most instances):
- Vaccination (Pfizer Abrysvo only) of pregnant people 32 through 36 weeks of gestation
- Administer during September through January for most of the continental United States
- Administer during September through January for most of the continental United States
- Immunization of infants less than 8 months with nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody
- Administer during October through March (earlier is better) in most of the continental United States
- Administer during October through March (earlier is better) in most of the continental United States
Some children aged 8 through 19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease should receive nirsevimab when entering their second RSV season.
Older adults
Everyone 75 years of age and older should receive RSV vaccination if they haven't been previously vaccinated.
Adults 60 through 74 years of age with certain medical conditions or other risk factors that increase their risk for severe RSV disease should receive RSV vaccination if they haven't been previously vaccinated.
Clinical vaccination guidance
By disease
Coadministration of flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines may be co-administered (given at the same visit). They may also be co-administered with other vaccines, in accordance with CDC's general best practices for immunization.
If the provider is confident there will be additional opportunities to vaccinate the patient, and the patient prefers to receive these vaccines during different visits, there is no minimum wait period between these vaccinations.
Preventing vaccine administration errors
A vaccine administration error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm. Take preventive actions to avoid vaccine administration errors and establish an environment that values reporting and investigating errors as part of risk management and quality improvement.
Clinical testing and treatment guidance
Testing
- COVID-19
- COVID-19 and influenza
Treatment
- COVID-19
- Influenza
Actions for health care providers
Review immunization history and recommendations based on age, underlying medical conditions, and other risk factors. View immunization schedules for children and adults.
Assess whether the patient has risk factors that place them at higher risk for severe flu and COVID-19 and should therefore receive prescription antiviral medications if they become ill.
Counsel the patient or caregiver that immunizations are the best way to protect themselves or their children against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from flu, COVID-19, and RSV this season. COVID-19 vaccine is also the best way to protect themselves from getting Long COVID.
Recommend and offer immunizations to patients or caregivers or refer them to where they can get vaccines. Let patients and caregivers know they may need immunizations during their next visit.
If a patient is at high risk for severe COVID-19 or influenza due to age or underlying conditions, explain the importance of testing and starting antiviral treatment as early as possible after symptom onset.
Explain how to use the other prevention tools and how these tools can help them and their families stay safe this season. These tools include:
- Testing
- Well-fitted masks
- Physical distancing
- Washing hands
- Improving airflow or ventilation where the patient lives and works
Resources for you and your practice
Vaccine Summaries for Fall and Winter Virus Season
Educational presentation
Educating staff on flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations will help prepare your practice for the upcoming fall and winter virus season and build trust between you and your patients.
Webinars
CDC regularly produces educational videos and webinars to provide healthcare providers with timely and actionable information on disease activity, new clinical guidance, and immunization recommendations.
- General overview: American Medical Association
- Nursing: Tri-Council for Nursing
- Obstetrics: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Older adults: Gerontological Society of America
- Pediatrics: American Academy of Pediatrics
Learn more about additional CDC webinars and continuing education opportunities related to immunization.
Many people have questions about flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations. As your patients' most trusted source of health information, you play a critical role in helping them understand the importance of immunizations and that immunizations are safe and effective.
- COVID-19 immunization recommendations
- RSV immunizations for infants and young children
- Vaccines for Children Program
- Vaccine Standing Orders for Healthcare Providers from immunize.org