Flu Shot 2026-2027: Vaccine Updates, Protection, and Flu Risks

As temperatures begin to drop and respiratory illness season returns, health experts continue to recommend one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones: getting an annual flu vaccine.

While many people think of influenza as a routine seasonal illness, the flu can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, and even death, particularly among older adults, young children, and people with underlying health conditions. Vaccination remains the best defense against severe illness and helps reduce the burden on our communities during peak respiratory virus season.

Current recommendations support annual influenza vaccination for nearly everyone age 6 months and older.

Alex Benjamin, MD, is the Chief Infection Control and Prevention Officer at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health. “Historically, vaccination efforts focused heavily on people with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease and respiratory illness,” he says. “Today, we recommend flu vaccination for all eligible individuals because anyone can experience serious complications from influenza.”

Pregnant women are encouraged to receive a flu shot during any stage of pregnancy. Vaccination not only helps protect the pregnant person but can also provide protection to infants during their first months of life.

The flu continues to be a significant public health concern. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, during the 2025-26 respiratory virus season Pennsylvania reported more than 26,000 influenza-related hospitalizations and 545 influenza-associated deaths, including eight pediatric deaths.

These numbers serve as an important reminder that influenza is much more than a seasonal inconvenience. For some individuals, it can become a serious and life-threatening illness.

A common misconception is that people who have previously recovered from the flu without major complications don't need a vaccine.

While no vaccine can guarantee complete protection from infection, the flu shot significantly lowers the risk of developing severe illness, requiring hospitalization, or experiencing life-threatening complications.

Simply put, even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, you're more likely to have a milder illness than someone who is unvaccinated.

Most people can receive a standard influenza vaccine. However, certain groups may benefit from a high-dose vaccine.

“People 65 years of age and older can get a high-dose influenza vaccine,” Dr. Benjamin says. “Older individuals respond better to a higher dose of influenza vaccine, in terms of building their immunity.”

Because the immune system naturally becomes less responsive with age, a stronger formulation can help generate a more robust immune response.

High-dose flu shots are also available for adults ages 18 to 64 who have received a solid-organ transplant and are currently taking medications that suppress their immune system.

For people who dislike needles, the nasal spray flu vaccine may sound appealing.

The intranasal vaccine is considered just as effective as flu shots and uses a live, highly weakened form of the influenza virus. Receiving a live vaccine does not mean you will develop influenza infection.

“It is a live vaccine, meaning you are receiving a very weakened form of the influenza virus strains,” Dr. Benjamin says. “People with certain medical conditions cannot receive live vaccines, such as people whose immune systems are suppressed and pregnant people.”

Currently, the intranasal flu vaccine is not offered at Jefferson Health.

The best time to get vaccinated is before influenza begins circulating widely in your community. Getting vaccinated now helps ensure your body has time to build protection before exposure occurs.

Whether you're protecting yourself, an aging parent, a newborn grandchild, or a friend undergoing cancer treatment, a flu shot can be an important step toward a healthier season for everyone.