Maybe you had COVID a couple months ago. Maybe you’re immunocompromised. Maybe you rarely get sick, or you got a flu shot last year and caught the flu anyway. No matter your circumstances, when another fall vaccination reminder arrives, it is normal to wonder if another dose of the flu or COVID vaccine is right for you.

The answer depends partly on your age, health and vaccination history. As the start of what’s considered respiratory illness season, October is a good time to ask those questions and make a plan before you get sick.

I recently spoke with Dr. Jennifer Clair of LMH Health Primary Care – West Campus and Dr. Sonia Castillo of Lawrence Pulmonary Specialists to get their answers to commonly asked questions about 2026-2027 flu and COVID vaccines.

Who should get a flu shot this year?

As a family medicine physician, Clair recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older – unless they have a medical reason not to receive it, which is rare. Her guidance follows that of the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics.

“I recommend getting the flu vaccine in October, which should last through March,” Clair said, adding that flu cases in Kansas typically start during fall months and peak in January and February. Vaccinating before flu activity increases gives the immune system time to build protection.

For many people, one dose is all that’s needed, though there are some exceptions depending on age and vaccine history.

“Children between 6 months and 8 years old who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time should get two doses, four weeks apart to be sure they have good protection,” Clair explained. “People aged 65 and over should get a high-dose vaccine.”

If I’m young and healthy, why should I get a flu shot?

Being in great health does not eliminate the possibility of a serious case of flu. It also doesn’t make several days of fever, aches and exhaustion any easier to fit into daily life.

“Influenza is a miserable illness, often requiring several days off of work to recover, so it’s worth avoiding,” Clair said, adding that reducing your chances of catching flu helps reduce the chance of exposing others, including babies too young to be vaccinated.

Can the flu shot actually give me the flu? Is it safe to combine with other vaccines?

The vaccine cannot cause the flu, Clair said, which is a common misconception. While some people experience mild side effects, such as a sore arm or slight body aches the following day, those effects are different from actually being infected.

“The flu vaccine does not eliminate all chances of catching the virus, but it does reduce the risk to yourself and people you come into contact with,” she explained. “It can also be safely administered with other immunizations, including COVID, pneumonia and RSV vaccines.”

Who should get a COVID vaccine this season?

As a pulmonologist, Castillo follows current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance recommending COVID vaccination for all adults 18 and older.

However, she notes that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals are not completely aligned with CDC recommendations this season, which has caused some confusion worth clarifying.

“This season’s FDA-approved vaccines cover everyone age 65 and older, and younger people who have conditions that put them at increased risk,” Castillo explained. “The CDC’s recommendation extends to healthy adults under 65 as well, which falls outside the FDA-approved indication.”

For children ages 6 months through 17 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, the CDC recommends vaccination. For other children in that age group, Castillo advises parents and healthcare practitioners to make the decision together.

If I’ve already had COVID and previous vaccines, why get another?

Previous infections and vaccinations do provide some protection, Castillo said, but our immunity changes over time – and so does the virus. COVID vaccines have been updated for the 2026-2027 season.

Castillo compares this with flu: Having had the illness or vaccine in the past does not mean you are optimally protected against the strains circulating today.

“The goal is to reduce the risk that COVID becomes a severe illness that leads to pneumonia, hospitalization, intensive care or death, so the question is whether an updated vaccine could add meaningful protection now,” Castillo explained. “For people at higher risk, I think that additional protection is particularly worthwhile.”

The potential benefit is greatest for adults 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems and those with conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID. These conditions include congestive heart failure, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), moderate to severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and more.

By comparison, a healthy younger adult has a lower risk of hospitalization, so the potential benefit of another dose is smaller, Castillo explained.

Does the timing of my COVID vaccine matter?

COVID circulates beyond the winter months, so timing can be relevant. Castillo advises paying attention to the time since someone’s last infection or vaccine rather than a particular calendar date.

“A recent infection provides some short-term immune protection, so people who recently had COVID may consider waiting up to three months after symptoms began, or after a positive test if they had no symptoms,” she said.

How long to wait after receiving a previous COVID vaccine can vary by type of vaccine and individual circumstances. Castillo’s advice: “Bring your vaccination history and questions to your practitioner or pharmacist and make an informed decision together.”

Where can people in Lawrence and surrounding communities get vaccinated?

Flu and COVID vaccinations are available at many local pharmacies and primary care clinics, including at LMH Health. Heartland Community Health Center and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health also offer vaccines. Supply can vary, so call ahead to make sure the current season’s vaccine is available.

And remember: Fall calendars fill quickly with school activities, football games and holiday planning. A few minutes spent making a plan now can help you prepare for the months ahead.

Diane Morgan is a freelance writer covering health, wellness and community topics for LMH Health.