It’s that time of year again – time for football and tailgates, earlier sunsets, holiday planning and cooler temperatures. It’s also time to think about getting the flu vaccine because, unfortunately, it’s also the time of year for rampant respiratory illnesses.
The good news is that there is plenty of time to get the flu vaccine before the season kicks into high gear.
Stephen Thacker, M.D., pediatric infectious diseases specialist with MUSC Health, recommended mid- to late-October for an annual flu shot. “Different parts of the country experience an earlier surge of the flu, so they might get the flu shot in September, but generally I recommend sometime in October and no later than November. Ultimately, look for local and state messaging about increasing flu cases,” he said.
He added that although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not yet published guidance on the 2026-2027 flu season, he believes most of the recommendations will remain the same.
For example, some things that won’t change include the types of people in the higher-risk categories. Children under the age of 5; adults over 65; pregnant women; and patients with chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, asthma or other immune-compromising conditions, should all consider getting vaccinated for the flu.
However, there are a couple of major changes to note regarding this season’s flu vaccine. One of those is the fact that the components in the flu vaccine will be completely different than last year’s. Thacker said that typically the vaccine’s components are similar from year to year but not this year.
“This is why it is important to get the vaccine annually. The targets have completely changed. It’s a brand-new vaccine this year,” he said.
Another change to this year’s flu season is an all-new version of the flu vaccine being offered by Moderna. The new version, mFLUSIVA, will feature mRNA, the same technology used in the COVID vaccines. Thacker said that right now, it is only recommended for adults over 50.
“After being tested, they found that it was 26% more effective than the traditional flu vaccine for people in that age range,” he shared.
Thacker said he would recommend the new Moderna flu vaccine for older individuals, if it is available. “There might be an availability issue just operationally due to the timing of when the pharmacies and health systems needed to start ordering the vaccine.”
He mentioned that the nasal flu vaccine, FluMist, is still an option for those who may want to steer clear of needles. “We don’t recommend the nasal vaccine for the high-risk individuals, but if you are not in those groups, it’s a good option,” he said.
FluMist can be self-administered or given by a caregiver. “Some parents prefer it for their children because it may produce less anxiety versus the shot version.”
Even with these options, Thacker noted a downward trend in people getting the flu vaccine. “We were under 50% protection last year, and that was the lowest it has been in many years. Fewer and fewer people are taking the flu shot,” he said. “Believe me, there are tons of places to get the flu shot, so accessibility isn’t really the issue. It’s the issue of choosing not to get it.”
According to Thacker, 179 children died from the flu last year. Statistics from the CDC for the 2024-2025 flu season estimated that there were 51 million flu-related illnesses, 23 million medical visits, 710,000 hospitalizations and 45,000 deaths. Based on CDC criteria, the severity of the 2024-2025 season was considered high.
The flu causes a tremendous number of hospitalizations, and every year, millions of people are symptomatic with the flu, yet still, people are not getting vaccinated.
Thacker added that at the very least, taking the flu shot can decrease the severity of your symptoms should you still catch the flu once vaccinated. “While a concern by some,” he added, “you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.”
Like other respiratory viruses, symptoms of the flu include a runny nose, cough and fever – but not always. Thacker recommended over-the-counter anti-viral medication to manage the symptoms.
“Also, don’t go to school or work if you think you have the flu – and see a doctor for a correct diagnosis.”
Thacker said one of the best defenses is also one of the simplest: Wash your hands. “Especially if you have active symptoms, wash your hands. If you're just trying to avoid getting sick, wash your hands before you eat or drink and before you touch your face. Lastly, be sure to break the chain of the viral spread by making sure your friends and family are vaccinated.”
Stephen Thacker, M.D., FAAP
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- North Charleston, SC
Theresa Stratford
Theresa Stratford is the editor for MUSC’s newspaper, The Catalyst. She has worked as a writer and editor for 25 years since graduating from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communications. As a writer, she has worked for the federal government in cybersecurity and for the Department of Energy. As both a writer and an editor, she has worked for a variety of syndications, including national magazines, such as Vogue Knitting, as well as many local Charleston and South Carolina publications.
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