💉 Flu Shot or Not? What the Latest Data Says About Flu Season 2026–2027

Right as you start seeing the pumpkin spice and back-to-school sales displays go up, you likely see this one too:

Get Your Flu Shot!

And with that each year come the questions and opinions. It can range from that one person in your life who lines up to get their flu shot every year on the very first day they can to that other person who states that they’ve never gotten the flu shot and never gotten the flu.

Now added to the mix is the yearly conversation about also getting the latest COVID vaccine and all the debate around that. Both the flu and the COVID viruses adapt, meaning that the vaccine you received for last year’s version of the flu likely won’t protect you from this year’s strain. COVID adapts at about half of the flu virus’s rate, meaning that it takes it about twice as long to change than the flu.

So how do you decide what to do and what’s best for your situation and health? Here are some ideas:

🤔 Just How Serious Is the Flu?

For a lot of people, the flu turns out to be something a bit more tough than the common cold, an inconvenience, a few days in which they don’t feel great but they’re not the sickest they’ve ever been either.And then there are those individuals for whom the flu turns out to be a big deal. A very big deal.

So what are the stats?

For the 2025 flu season last year, it looked like this:

• 43 to 73 million with significant symptoms
• 19 to 32 million medical visits
• 1.1 million hospitalizations
• 99,000 deaths in the United States

For adults 65 and older, they accounted for 57% of the hospitalization numbers.

While those numbers can look shocking, they’re actually fairly typical of a ‘normal’ flu season. We’re so familiar with the notion of flu season that it’s all too easy to overlook the actual human cost of the virus. 

🆕 What’s New for Flu for 2026-2027?

The flu vaccine was updated in March of 2026, so if you received a flu vaccine before then, you’ll want to check with your medical provider for their reccommendation. There is now also an mRNA flu vaccine available, the first time this type of formulation for the flu vaccine has been available. Currently, the mRNA version is approved for adults age 50 and over. 

💉 How Effective is the Flu Vaccine?

If you’ve ever had the flu vaccine and then gotten the flu anyway, you’re in good company. While the flu vaccine typically has a 38%-41% effectiveness rate, that still means that lots of people who get the vaccine still get the flu. However, those who do still get sick even after receiving the shot typically have a milder form of the illness and have lower risks of hospitalization or death. 

🦠 What About the COVID Vaccine?

The recommendations for the COVID vaccine stay in pace with the recommendations for the flu vaccine, meaning that the CDC recommends that healthy individuals age 6 months and older receive both vaccines. For both vaccines, there is a particular focus on pregnant women, children under the age of 5, adults age 65 and older, and individuals with chronic illness, since they are the populations seen most at risk of complications from COVID or flu.

If I’m Going to Get the Vaccines, When Is the Best Time?

September and October are considered the best times of year to top off your flu and COVID updates. These give you the needed two-week window before flu and COVID season kicks off in earnest, usually in late October/early November for most parts of the country. 

And a Couple of Myths

🤧 Will the flu vaccine give me the flu? No. You might have a few mild symptoms after receiving the vaccine as your body responds, but it cannot cause a full-on case of the flu. You might experience a low-grade fever or fatigue, but you won’t have the flu from the shot. The same is also true of the latest COVID vaccine.

💪🏽 Will these vaccines weaken my immune system? Again, no. These vaccines will actually help your immune system to fight off the viruses when they come in contact with them.

Work with your medical provider if you have concerns or further questions about if you should have the flu or COVID vaccine. For most individuals, making sure you have these vaccines at the start of fall is a good way to minimize your risk of serious illness from the viruses.

🔷 If you’re a Member of Altrua HealthShare, depending on your level of membership, you likely have flu and COVID vaccines included in your care. You can contact a Member Services Representative to review what medical costs are shared in for your level of membership, along with information on providers who can help you make sure you’re ready to face cold and flu season. 

🟨 If you’re not yet a Member of Altrua HealthShare, we’ve got great news! Altrua HealthShare is an innovative, flexible, affordable approach to healthcare, where you can save up to 50% on medical costs. Features of the memberships include the HealthWallet app, where you have access to 24/7 telehealth, telecounseling, pharmacy and lab discounts, and more. You have built-in doctors visits, preventative testing and other features that all help you stay on top of your health and your bank account. As you look ahead not just to flu season but also to open enrollment season later this fall, make sure to consider if Altrua HealthShare could be the right fit for you and your family. You can speak with a Member Services Representative to learn more or visit our website at https://altruahealthshare.org/.

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