2025-2026 US Flu Vaccination Recommendations

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For the United States, CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October.

September 4, 2025

	Influenza (Flu) 2025 - 2026 Flu Season

www.cdc.gov/flu

CDC’s Flu Vaccination Recommendations Published

Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines — Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), United States, 2025–26 has been published. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older in the United States get a flu vaccine with rare exception. September and October are generally good times for most people to be vaccinated. CDC recommends flu vaccination before the end of October, ideally, but vaccination efforts should continue for as long as influenza viruses are circulating.

Information for 2025-26 Flu Season	Composition of Flu Vaccines	ACIP Recs Summary

What’s New for 2025-2026

• ACIP recommends that children, pregnant women, and all adults receive seasonal flu vaccines only in single-dose formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative.
• On March 13, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made recommendations concerning the composition of 2025-2026 U.S. flu vaccines.
• In September 2024, the FDA approved FluMist, the live attenuated nasal spray flu vaccine, for self- or caregiver administration.
• In March 2025, the FDA approved Flublok, the recombinant flu vaccine, previously approved for people 18 years and older, for use in people 9 years and older. 

What’s the Same for 2025-2026

• Some people are at higher risk of developing severe flu complications if they get sick, including people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and people with certain underlying medical conditions. Getting a flu vaccine every year is especially important for people in these groups.
• Three flu vaccines are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older: Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, Flublok recombinant flu vaccine, and Fluad adjuvanted flu vaccine. More information is available at Flu & People 65 Years and Older.
• There is no preferential recommendation for any one flu vaccine over others for people younger than 65 years. 
• Most people need only one dose of flu vaccine. Some children will need two doses. 
• Getting an annual flu vaccine is very important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against flu. 
• If you have questions or concerns about flu vaccination, talk to your health care provider about making the best flu vaccination decision for yourself and your family.
• While flu vaccination varies in how well it works each season, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
• Health care providers play an important role in sharing information with patients about flu vaccination and supporting them in making informed vaccination decisions. Health care providers are encouraged to be prepared to answer questions and help patients make vaccination decisions for themselves and their families. 
• More information about the 2025-2026 flu season is available at 2025–2026 Flu Season | Influenza (Flu) | CDC.

	Social Media: X @CDCFlu The 2025-2026 CDC #flu vaccine recommendations have been published. Read more: Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2025–26 Influenza Season | MMWR

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