3 Shots This Fall? What to Know About Getting the RSV, Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines  

The RSV season generally starts in the fall and peaks in the winter, but last year’s struck a bit early. “So, my recommendation would be to get the RSV vaccine as soon as it’s locally available,” Presti says. 

The shots, from drugmakers Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, have already begun rolling out to pharmacies and clinics throughout the U.S. Presti says there’s little difference between the two vaccines, so it just comes down to what’s on hand. 

One thing you may want to consider is spacing the RSV vaccine out from your flu and COVID vaccines. Getting this shot along with other adult vaccinations is permitted, but Schaffner says, “I don’t think there are too many people who want to get three [shots] at the same time.”

And in studies, the influenza antibody response was better when the flu and RSV vaccines were given separately, Schaffner says, though more information on RSV vaccine coadministration is expected soon. That said, the COVID-19 boosters and flu shots can be given together — and last year, often were — so there’s no need to make separate trips to the clinic or pharmacy for those.

How often will you need the three vaccines?

The influenza vaccine is one you need every year, ideally by the end of October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. And remember: Adults 65 and older should get the high-dose version for stronger protection. (The CDC estimates that 70 to 85 percent of flu-related deaths occur among people 65 and older.) 

The COVID-19 vaccine schedule is still in flux, though many experts are in favor of moving to an annual shot in the fall as the virus settles into a more seasonal pattern. For now, it’s recommended that everyone 6 months and older get the newly updated shot, which provides better protection against the virus variants that are currently circulating.

As for RSV, Schaffner says the duration of protection from the vaccine has yet to be determined. “Early data indicate that the protection may extend beyond one year,” he says, meaning an annual shot might not be necessary. “That said, stay tuned for further developments.”  

If getting three shots this fall seems like a lot, consider the alternative, Presti says. A vaccine is “a whole lot less of a stress on your immune system” than getting infected and seriously ill from one, or all, of these common viruses.

“I understand that people are tired of it, but it’s sort of something we should think about getting used to as just a way of preventing disease and keeping ourselves healthy.”

Editor’s note: This story, first published July 26, 2023, has been updated to include new information.