📋 Will Updated Flu Vaccine Guidelines Affect You this Fall? (AARP Article)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

Will New Vaccine Recommendations Affect Your Fall Flu Shot?

Doctors and infectious disease experts stress that flu vaccines are safe, and they are especially important for older adults.

By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published July 24, 2025.

Federal vaccine advisers are recommending that nearly everyone roll up their sleeves for a flu shot this fall. This same recommendation has been made for more than a decade to help prevent illness from the common respiratory bug that killed as many as 130,000 people in this country’s most recent flu season.

But this year’s influenza guidance comes with a twist: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), with all new members that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently appointed, said June 26 that people should get a flu vaccine free from thimerosal, leaving many to wonder what that ingredient is and how it might affect their annual trip to the doctor’s office or pharmacy.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/fall-flu-vaccine-changes-thimerosal.html

[GailL1]

Also the CDC and ACIP preferentially recommend the use of higher dose flu vaccines (high-dose inactivated and recombinant) or adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for people 65 years and older. This recommendation is based on a review of available studies which suggests that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. If one of these vaccines is not available at the time of administration, people in this age group should get a standard-dose unadjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine instead. There are other flu vaccines approved for use in people 65 years and older. People 65 years and older should NOT get a nasal spray vaccine.

The imbedded links or this CDC site will tell you the difference in them. 

CDC.gov- Flu and People 65 Years and Older 

I try to always get the High-dose flu vaccine, brand name Fluzone High-Dose vaccine - and it has served me well.  But if the pharmacy does not have it, I can use one of the other (2) that are for higher risk individuals, as they consider those over 65.  I will go elsewhere if they only have the standard - 

[Winter2025VA]

Thanks for stopping by Gail @GailL1 . Yes, last year 2024 I had gotten the dose for age 65+. Then for the 1st time in years, I got laid out by the flu or COVID earlier this year. Anyway, thankful I was retired and was able to stay home. Fingers crossed I die before I have a repeat. Take care, Nicole!

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@GailL1 wrote:

Also the CDC and ACIP preferentially recommend the use of higher dose flu vaccines (high-dose inactivated and recombinant) or adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for people 65 years and older. This recommendation is based on a review of available studies which suggests that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. If one of these vaccines is not available at the time of administration, people in this age group should get a standard-dose unadjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine instead. There are other flu vaccines approved for use in people 65 years and older. People 65 years and older should NOT get a nasal spray vaccine.

The imbedded links or this CDC site will tell you the difference in them. 

CDC.gov- Flu and People 65 Years and Older 

I try to always get the High-dose flu vaccine, brand name Fluzone High-Dose vaccine - and it has served me well.  But if the pharmacy does not have it, I can use one of the other (2) that are for higher risk individuals, as they consider those over 65.  I will go elsewhere if they only have the standard - 

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[Winter2025VA]

[Friday 7/25/25]

Every year I go to CVS as soon as I get a text from them telling me they have this.

NOT in luv with needles, but need to stay well when possible at age 67.

On the other hand, my only child, a daughter - refuses to do this. Years ago she had gotten the flu after her shot.

VERY GRATEFUL it is free with Medicare.

Take care,

Nicole (Healthy Living Forum)