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A new flu shot, plus COVID-19 and RSV timing
The Boston Globe • • health
Key Points:
- Infection rates for seasonal illnesses like Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV remain very low in Massachusetts but are starting to rise nationally, signaling the need for vaccinations as fall approaches.
- Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, approved for people 50 and older, offers about 26.6% better protection than standard vaccines but may cause more side effects; however, experts say it’s not necessarily the best choice for everyone.
- Massachusetts health officials recommend annual flu vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, updated COVID-19 vaccines for various age groups, and RSV vaccines for pregnant women and at-risk populations, with October being the ideal time to get vaccinated.
- Pneumococcal vaccines are advised for children aged 2 to 5 and adults over 50 to prevent bacterial pneumonia, while vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV also help prevent viral pneumonia.
- The city of Boston will offer free vaccine clinics starting September 23, with health experts encouraging vaccinations by Halloween as a practical seasonal benchmark.
