Fall Vaccine Updates
COVID-19
Fall COVID-19 vaccines have an updated formula this season targeting either the JN.1 variant or the KP.2 variant, depending on the brand. Overall effectiveness is unknown at this time, but updated vaccines provided nearly 60% additional protection last fall.
Novavax, a traditional protein vaccine, is one option available. This method cannot be updated quite as quickly, so it's composition mainly targets the COVID-19 variant, JN.1. Data indicates that this does not pose an issue to fall protection since the JN.1 variant still prompts good immune responses against current COVID-19 strains. Pfizer and Moderna are offering a more up-to-date mRNA vaccine, which target the latest Omicron subvariants.
COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone 6 months and older. If you were recently infected, general guidance states to wait 4-6 months. If you were not recently infected, general guidance recommends to get vaccinated at your earliest convenience.
Influenza
This year’s flu vaccine was a great match to the strains circulating throughout Australia. This is normally a good proxy of how the flu season will be in North America. This season, it’s estimated that flu vaccines will reduce the risk of needing to go to the doctor by 40% to 60%.
Anyone 6 months and older is eligible for a flu vaccine this fall, ideally in September or October. Older adults have the option for a high-dose formulation for added protection.
RSV
There are three RSV vaccines available to older adults this year: GSK, Pfizer, and Moderna. GSK and Pfizer are offering traditional protein-based formulas whereas Moderna is offering an mRNA formula. Anyone over the age of 75 should be vaccinated, although, anyone over the age of 60 may also receive the RSV vaccine. Research indicates that the RSV vaccine shows some initial waning in the first few weeks but then stabilizes at a high level of protection, lasting for over a year.
An RSV vaccine is also available for pregnant individuals via Pfizer. For pregnant women, 32-36 weeks of gestation from September to January is the optimal time to be vaccinated – it may be given simultaneously with Tdap, COVID-19, and influenza vaccines.
For infants, a monoclonal antibody is available for infants for RSV. This is not a vaccine since it doesn’t teach the body to prompt an immune response. Real-world data highlights that RSV was significantly lowered in infants after receiving the monoclonal antibody. It is recommended for all infants under 8 months, unless the mother received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. It’s also recommended for high-risk children between 8 to 19 months.
Last Updated:
11/21/25, 5:02 PM
Last Updated:
11/21/25, 5:02 PM
Last Updated:
11/21/25, 5:02 PM