Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
What: The vaccine covers 3 strains of seasonal influenza and is offered by four pharmaceutical companies. The vaccine formula doesn’t always align perfectly with the circulating virus, but on average flu vaccines reduce the risk of needing to go to the doctor by 30-60%. The vaccines are all pretty similar, so which one you get doesn’t usually matter. (Note: nasal spray vaccine may work a bit better in children, and a study suggested that the adjuvanted flu vaccine might work better in older adults.)
Who: Everyone six months of age and older. Special formulations provide added protection for older adults.
When: October is the best time to get vaccinated.
Flu Clinics in Delaware
- Chesapeake Regional Pharmacy – call 302-450-1907 to schedule a COVID and Flu clinic for your organization, at no cost. Available for New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties.
Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV)
For Older Adults
What: Three vaccines (from GSK, Pfizer, and Moderna). GSK and Pfizer use traditional, protein-based biotechnology. They were available last year, so we have lots of “real world” safety and effectiveness data. There is a small risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (about the same risk as with flu vaccines). Moderna has an mRNA vaccine, new this year. There is no GBS safety signal, but protection wanes more quickly
Who: Not an annual vaccine. Getting a second vaccine doesn’t meaningfully enhance protection. People aged 50 years and older “may” get the vaccine. Those aged 75 years and older “should.”
When: RSV vaccines show initial waning in the first few weeks after vaccination, but then stabilize at a high level of protection for more than one year.
For Pregnancy
What: One vaccine, Pfizer’s ABRYSVO, is available. Protection is passed from mother to baby, and baby is protected for the first 6 months of life (which is the riskiest time for severe RSV). Thousands of women got it last year, confirming safety and high effectiveness (70-85%).
Who: Pregnant people, during 32-36 weeks of pregnancy.
When: September to January. The vaccine can be given simultaneously with other routine vaccines for pregnancy (tdap, COVID-19, and flu). Some data show that getting RSV vaccine at the same time as Tdap may reduce the antibody response to pertussis, so it may be worth getting Tdap a few weeks before.
RSV Monoclonal Antibody for Infants
What: Not a vaccine. Last year (real world data) showed that severe RSV in infants who received monoclonal antibodies was drastically reduced – one study showed 90% effectiveness. Two options this year: nirsevimab or clesrovimab.
Who: All infants under 8 months of age should get it for their first RSV season, unless their mother receieved the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. High-risk children between 8-19 months should also get it.
When: As close to RSV season as possible (October-March). Protection holds up for at least 5 months.
COVID-19
What: Fall COVID-19 vaccines have an updated formula targeting JN.1 or LP.8.1 (Omicron subvariants). Updated vaccines have consistently provided approximately 30-60% additional protection against urgent care visits and hospitalization. Three vaccines: Pfizer’s COMIRNATY (5 years and up), Moderna’s SPIKEVAX (6 months and up), and Novavax’s NUVAXOVID (12 years and up).
Who: Professional organizations recommend:
- Kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all children under 2 years old get vaccinated, as well as high-risk children or those living with someone who is high-risk, and children who’s parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19
- Pregnant People: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women receive the vaccine at any point during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or while lactating.
The FDA has restricted their label to individuals aged 65 years and older, and those between 6 months and 64 years of age with at least one condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Individuals outside of this range can still request a vaccine, but it will be considered “off label”.
When: Soon. Due to federal disarray, some pharmacies have stopped giving the vaccine.