Vaccines Arm Us for Respiratory Virus Season

Respiratory virus season is on the way and illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and pneumonia will be widely circulating again. 

Vaccines continue to be our best defense against severe illness from these viruses, said Todd Ellerin, MD, Director of Infectious Disease and Vice Chair of Medicine at South Shore Health. 

Dr. Ellerin offers insights on what we might expect this respiratory virus season, provides updated vaccine guidance and shares preventative measures that can help keep you and your family well.

It’s not too late to get a flu shot

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2024-25 was a “high severity” season for influenza, with more than 47 million illnesses, 21 million medical visits, 610,000 hospitalizations, and an estimated 27,000 deaths – including 281 children.

While it’s difficult to predict if this season will be as severe, the CDC recommends all individuals aged 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine each year.

Influenza vaccination is particularly important for high-risk groups – including older adults and very young children, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic conditions such as lung, heart, kidney, or liver disease, obesity, or diabetes. 

Patients age 65 or older should ask for the high dose influenza vaccine or adjuvant influenza vaccine, which helps create a stronger immune response in those vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) provides the following COVID-19 vaccine guidance for adults and children for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season:

• Healthy adults ages 19 to 64 can receive one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adults ages 19 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at risk for severe illness from COVID-19, or those who live with people at high risk, should receive one dose of the vaccine.
• People who are pregnant, were recently pregnant or lactating, and those planning pregnancy should receive one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adults 65 and older and adults who are immunocompromised should receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, 6 months apart.
• All children ages 6 to 23 months should receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Healthy children ages 2 to 18 who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine should receive one dose.
• Children ages 2 to 18 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe illness, and those who live with people at high risk should receive one dose.
• Healthy children 2 to 18 years old previously vaccinated for COVID-19, can receive one dose.

Who should receive an RSV vaccine

The CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older and adults ages 50-74 with chronic medical conditions that put them at risk of severe illness from RSV. 

Individuals with cardiovascular disease (heart failure, coronary artery disease), lung/respiratory disease (COPD and asthma), chronic liver disease/cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease or diabetes, should receive the RSV vaccine.  

Women who are in the third trimester of pregnancy (32-36 weeks) during RSV season should receive a one-time dose of the RSV vaccine to reduce the risk of severe illness in their infants. Only one of the adult RSV vaccines – Abrysvo – is recommended during pregnancy. 

Babies born during the RSV season, whose mothers have not received the RSV vaccine during late pregnancy, should receive a single dose of an intramuscular monoclonal antibody – Beyfortus or Enflonsia – which are effective at reducing severe RSV illness in infants.

Unlike influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, the RSV vaccine is not an annual shot; it’s a one-time dose. If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need another one this season.

Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations

Pneumococcus, also known as strep pneumonia is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, an illness that can be deadly for young children, and older adults – particularly those with chronic health conditions or compromised immunity. 

More invasive forms of pneumococcal disease can lead to serious illnesses such as meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of brain and bloodstream infections like sepsis.

The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for children younger than 5 years old and adults 50 years or older. 

Healthy adults usually only require one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine for long-term protection, although immunocompromised individuals may need additional doses of the vaccine.

Where to get vaccines

Influenza, COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal vaccines are widely available at retail pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens. 

South Shore Medical Center is currently administering:

• Influenza vaccines for pediatric and adult patients
• COVID-19 vaccines for pediatric patients ages 6 months to 11 years old
• Pneumococcal vaccines (Prevnar) for pediatric patients and for adult patients over 50 years old.
• RSV vaccines (Abrysvo) for obstetric patients (32-36 weeks gestation) and Beyfortus for infants 0-8 months and children 8-19 months at high risk entering their second RSV season.

SSMC patients can request available vaccines during an upcoming appointment or by scheduling a nurse visit through South Shore Health MyChart or calling 781-878-5200.  

Additional strategies to stay healthy this season

While vaccines provide the best protection against severe respiratory illness, other preventative steps you can take include:

• Washing your hands frequently
• Disinfecting high-touch areas in your home
• Covering your coughs and sneezes
• Staying home when you’re sick until you are fever free
• Wearing a mask
• Improving indoor ventilation

Learn more about preventing respiratory illnesses on the CDC website.

Todd Ellerin, MD is Director of Infectious Disease and Vice Chair of Medicine at South Shore Health.