The new 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines will fight the newest COVID-19 variants.

And there’s a new type of flu shot that could be even more effective than traditional vaccines in fighting the flu.

Medical experts strongly recommend COVID-19 and flu shots for nearly all children and adults ages 6 months and older.

“All of the medical experts — including infectious diseases doctors, pediatricians, family doctors and obstetricians — encourage everyone over age six months to get a COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Michelle Barron.

Barron is one of Colorado’s top infectious disease experts and is UCHealth’s senior medical director for infection control and prevention.

“Especially if you’re older or you have comorbidities, or you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, we recommend that you get the COVID-19 vaccine because you’re at high risk for complications.

“The new vaccine protects people against the new strain that is currently circulating,” said Barron, who is also a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine.

Barron said doctors strongly encourage patients to get vaccines because they are safe and effective and have been proven to reduce severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths from respiratory viruses. (Learn about a study that found COVID-19 shots cut hospitalizations by more than 50%.)

Here’s what’s new for the 2026-27 COVID-19 and flu vaccines:

• The COVID-19 vaccine will be arriving at retailers and doctors’ offices soon, and the updated vaccine will fight the newest XFG variants that are circulating now.
• There’s also a new mRNA vaccine to fight flu. Federal officials have approved the new Moderna vaccine. It’s called mFlusiva, and it could be up to 25% more effective than typical flu vaccines. This new flu vaccine may be a little hard to find at first. Don’t worry if you can’t find it. Just get a flu shot in the coming weeks to protect yourself before respiratory viruses typically start spreading around Thanksgiving.
• Medical experts on the front lines of patient care in the U.S. have come together to strongly recommend vaccines. Leading medical organizations of doctors — the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America — have studied vaccines extensively and launched a new informational website about vaccine safety called SpreadTheFacts.org.
• Vaccines prevent hospitalizations and deaths and are especially critical for older people and those who are pregnant or immunocompromised.

To answer your top questions about the 2026-27 COVID-19 and flu vaccines, we consulted with Barron.

Do you expect this year to be bad for flu and COVID-19?

It’s too soon to know if this fall and winter will be especially bad for flu and COVID-19. The flu season in the southern hemisphere was relatively normal this year. And that’s sometimes a good predictor for the flu season in the northern hemisphere. But if a particularly bad variant takes hold, we can suddenly have a very bad flu or COVID-19 season.

“All it takes is one bad strain that we weren’t expecting, and then ‘kaboom.’ Things can get bad quickly,” Barron said.

That’s why it’s so important to get vaccines soon for yourself and your family members, Barron said.

Should I get my flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall?

Yes. Everyone should try to get their COVID-19 and flu shots this year.

With new, more restrictive guidelines from experts at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it may be harder for some people to get vaccines. But Barron is 100% clear on her advice.

“Everyone should get a flu shot,” she said.

And she strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccines, especially for people who are at higher risk of getting severely ill if they get COVID-19. These high-risk individuals include older people, immunocompromised people and pregnant women.

“Data show that the people who benefit most from a COVID-19 vaccine are those who are older and those who have underlying medical conditions, like asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), hematologic malignancy (cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow and lymph and lymphatic systems) or people who are pregnant or are on medications that suppress your immune system,” Barron said.

Vaccines also are essential for people like health care workers who are at higher risk for exposure to respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19.

They also help everyone avoid severe illnesses, including long COVID.

“It’s a good idea to get a COVID shot because you can still get complications, and you can still end up in the hospital. If you get the vaccine, you’ll be decreasing that risk. Does a vaccine mean that you’re never going to get COVID or the flu? No. But it means you’re more likely to stay healthy,” Barron said.

“You get to go to work. You get to go to concerts. You get to do all of your fun stuff because you’re not sick at home in bed,” she said.

Who is at the greatest risk of getting severely ill and dying of the flu?

When it comes to flu, Barron said the people who are most at risk and absolutely need flu shots are “the very old and the very young.”

“Babies under a year of age and older adults who are 65 and older are much more likely to end up hospitalized or with a complication, including death,” Barron said.

People who are immunocompromised and those who are caregivers or spend a lot of time with people who are immunocompromised should also be sure to get flu shots.

Should pregnant women get flu and COVID-19 vaccines?

Yes. Pregnant women should definitely get both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, Barron said.

Her advice has nothing to do with politics. Barron said that doctors and researchers have known for decades that pregnant women are more vulnerable to getting severely ill if they get respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. Pregnant women can suffer themselves and also can jeopardize the health of their babies if they get severely ill.

“Just like flu, complications from COVID-19 during pregnancy can lead to early birth, premature birth and complications for the mother,” Barron said. “There is some anxiety about getting vaccines during pregnancy, and there shouldn’t be.

“These vaccines have been very well studied during pregnancy, and there haven’t been any issues,” Barron said.

While vaccines are safe in pregnancy, getting a bad case of the flu or COVID-19 can be very dangerous and even deadly during pregnancy. (Read about a woman who nearly died when she got COVID-19 while she was pregnant.)

Advice on kids and COVID-19 vaccines is conflicting. Should children get the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine?

Health experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for infants and babies ages 6 months to 23 months.

The pediatric experts said infants and babies are at high risk for suffering severe complications if they get sick with COVID-19.

Older children who are immunocompromised should also get their COVID-19 vaccines, as should children who are at high risk for severe illness if they get COVID-19, those who live in long-term care facilities, children who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine or kids who live in homes where other family members are at high risk if they get COVID-19.

Experts also said any parents who want to protect their children from COVID-19 should get the new 2026-2027 vaccine for their children.

How soon will the new vaccines be available?

Some medical providers and retailers have flu shots in stock now. COVID-19 shots should be arriving in September.

These vaccines are tailored to protect adults and children during the upcoming respiratory virus season.

That’s because vaccine makers updated the shots to target the newest variants causing COVID-19 illnesses. They also create new versions of flu shots every year to protect people from the flu strains that are most likely to surface this fall and winter.

Is it safe to get multiple vaccines at the same time?

Yes. You can get your COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time. People who also need pneumonia and RSV vaccines can get them at the same time too, Barron said.

Are there combined shots for the annual fall flu and COVID-19 vaccines?

No, health officials and vaccine makers have considered creating a combined COVID-19 and flu shot, but that vaccine is still under investigation and isn’t available yet. Barron said that’s not a big deal because it’s safe and easy to get two shots at the same time. If you wish, you can get your COVID-19 shot in one arm and the flu shot in the other.

Should people try to get their vaccines at a particular time to optimize their protection against COVID-19 and flu during the fall and winter respiratory virus season?

No. Don’t worry about trying for the perfect timing with your vaccines. No one knows exactly when flu and COVID-19 cases will worsen. Some hospitalized patients have both illnesses now. But the illnesses typically increase as we get closer to Thanksgiving. Barron simply encourages people to get the updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 and flu vaccines sometime in the next couple of months.

“Just do what’s convenient,” Barron said. “If you’re at the store or pharmacy, and they have vaccines, just get yours. Or if you’re at the doctor’s office, go ahead and get your vaccines.”

Is COVID-19 still a big deal? Do I still need vaccines to protect me from COVID-19? And do I really need a flu shot?

Yes, COVID-19 is still a big deal. Thousands of people still die each year from COVID-19.

And even more people die every year from the flu.

“Flu and COVID-19 are never going away, and they have the potential to impact you,” Barron said.

That’s why it’s so critical to get vaccinated and protect yourself.

“You don’t want to get sick,” Barron said.

Misinformation about vaccines is on the rise, but don’t let that stop you from protecting yourself

You’ve probably heard many controversial opinions about vaccines as misinformation rises.

Barron advises her patients to ignore vaccine misinformation as much as possible and focus on the simple goal of protecting themselves and their loved ones.

Barron — and your own doctor — want you to stay as healthy as possible now that we’re in the middle of the back-to-school season and will soon be heading into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Vaccines are safe and effective. They work very well in protecting people from severe illness, hospitalization and death, Barron said.

She’s concerned that many people might skip their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall because they are confused or worried they will have to pay out of pocket.

Tell me about the recent decision from FDA officials about COVID-19 vaccines?

COVID-19 vaccines used to be approved for everyone in the U.S., ages 6 months and older. Starting last year, federal officials changed those recommendations, saying people ages 65 and older are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines, along with younger people who have at least one risk factor for getting severely ill if they get sick with COVID-19. Those risk factors include asthma, smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.

But Barron and the leading health experts in the U.S. say those recommendations are not broad enough, are not based on legitimate scientific research and may prevent many people who should get COVID-19 vaccines from getting them.

Medical experts are encouraging as many people in the U.S. as possible to get the 2026-2027 COVID-19 and flu shots because they prevent severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

Barron’s key message amid the uncertainty is to speak with your provider and try to get your vaccines, even if that means getting a prescription. Another alternative is to simply call your provider’s office and ask for a “lab appointment” to get your vaccine. Many doctors’ offices keep supplies of vaccines on hand, and a medical assistant can give you your vaccines at your doctor’s office.

Will I need a prescription to get a COVID-19 vaccine this year?

No. If you live in Colorado, state officials have created a standing order that allows anyone ages 6 months and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription. If you live in another state, you might need a prescription to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a large national retailer like Walgreens.

Will I need a prescription to get a flu shot?

No. People will not need prescriptions to get flu shots.

Tell me about the new mRNA flu vaccines. Are they different from traditional flu vaccines?

Federal officials have approved Moderna’s new mRNA vaccine to fight flu.

This vaccine uses the same technology that Moderna and Pfizer used to create vaccines to prevent and fight COVID-19.

Barron is excited about the new mRNA flu vaccine.

“Studies have shown that it was 25% better than the standard flu shot. It hasn’t been tested yet in a head-to-head comparison with the high-dose flu shot that people older than 65 get,” Barron said.

Nonetheless, the new technology is exciting, especially because it’s challenging for vaccine makers to guess exactly which flu variants will be circulating months in the future. And it’s much faster for vaccine makers to create mRNA vaccines than it is to create traditional vaccines.

“Traditional vaccines for flu are based on eggs. Manufacturers culture the virus on eggs, and they use that to create the vaccine. That’s why it takes a long time. And people who have true egg allergies can’t take traditional vaccines,” Barron said.

“There is an egg-free vaccines as well, but using mRNA technology could be highly, highly effective.”

Even so, Barron urges people to get any flu vaccine they can find and not to worry too much about finding the new mRNA vaccine because it may take time for Moderna to distribute it throughout the country.

Who can I trust if I’m seeking accurate information about vaccines?

Due to confusing advice from some federal health officials, it’s now harder to find accurate, trustworthy information about vaccines.

Barron is encouraging patients to rely on advice from their own doctors and organizations that represent doctors and to continue relying on legitimate experts and researchers.

Health insurance plans should cover most vaccines. But due to vaccine misinformation, there is some confusion about whether all health plans will cover vaccines.

“There are a lot of unknowns,” Barron said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have all the information yet. We don’t know if there will be restrictions on doctors and pharmacists.”

She is also very concerned for lower-income people, some of whom may not have health insurance and might struggle to get their 2026-2027 COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

For now, if you get your health insurance through your job, check with your employer or health insurance provider about vaccine costs. In past years, health insurance companies were required to pay for the cost of vaccines that medical experts at the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had approved and recommended.

This year, with widespread misinformation and the turmoil in Washington, D.C. and in Atlanta at the CDC headquarters, some health insurance plans may no longer cover the full cost of vaccines. Some health insurance providers may require co-pays. Many employers, however, will continue to cover vaccines since they want their employees to stay healthy.

When will the newest vaccines be available?

Some large pharmacies already have the new versions of the COVID-19 and flu vaccines in stock. Others will be getting them in the coming days. Actions from federal officials have not stopped vaccine manufacturers from shipping vaccines, Barron said. So, reaching out to your doctor in the next month or two should be good timing for getting your vaccines if you’re able to do so.

Which COVID-19 variants are circulating now?

The dominant variants causing COVID-19 infections now are all descendants of the Omicron variant, which surfaced in late 2021 and has been dominant ever since.

The current dominant variant is called XFG.1.1. According to what’s known as “Nowcast” data from the CDC, XFG variants were causing the majority of COVID-19 cases over the summer. Another emerging variant is called SW.2.

Barron said COVID-19 cases were not as high in the summer of 2026 as in previous summers. It’s too soon to know how big a spike of COVID-19 cases we will see this fall and winter. As case numbers climb, wastewater data will indicate which variants are driving the most infections.

Will the new 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine fight the newest variants?

Yes. Vaccine makers have tailored the newest vaccines to fight the newest variants.

FDA health advisors voted in May to authorize a new formula for the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine.

Different variants were dominant in the spring and summer of this year, but all of the variants that have caused infections so far in 2026 are descendants of the omicron variant. So, the newest COVID-19 vaccines should help fight variants that are likely to cause infections this fall and winter.

Is that also true for flu shots? Do vaccine makers change the shots every year?

Yes, vaccine makers create new versions of flu shots each year. Researchers and vaccine makers study flu outbreaks each year in the southern hemisphere, months before the flu season starts in the U.S. and elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. Researchers and vaccine experts then create annual flu shots based on the variants that they anticipate will become dominant months later.

When does the typical flu season start and end?

The typical flu season in the U.S. lasts from October through May, but each year is different. We don’t know yet whether cases of the flu will begin spiking relatively early in the fall or whether they’ll increase closer to Thanksgiving or Christmas, Barron said.

That’s why you shouldn’t worry about the perfect timing for getting your flu shot. Your immunity will last for several months, and you want to be protected in case flu infections start to rise early.

Barron advises people to simply get their vaccines when it’s most convenient.

“There’s no magic in getting it early or getting it late. We can’t predict the future. So, the best time to get your shots is when it’s convenient. If you have five minutes, go get your shots. It’s really about getting it done and getting it off of your to-do list,” Barron said.

Is there a ‘COVID season’ when infections and hospitalizations typically increase?

People can get COVID-19 any time of year. During the earliest days of the pandemic, cases spiked in spring 2020 because no one had protection against the new virus. In subsequent years, COVID-19 cases typically rose during the winter months, much like flu cases. Each year since 2020, there also have been summer spikes in COVID-19 cases. There weren’t as many COVID-19 infections this year during the summer. It’s also hard to track how common COVID-19 is now because many people don’t report it if they get sick.

What are the common symptoms of a COVID-19 infection now? Is it more like a cold, or are people getting severely ill when they get COVID-19 these days?

A COVID-19 infection still makes people feel really lousy, Barron said.

A case of COVID-19 feels far worse than a cold.

“The current strain of COVID-19 is causing people to feel terrible,” Barron said.

As an infectious disease expert, Barron sees patients hospitalized with COVID-19. She also hears from friends, family members and other patients who update her when they get sick.

“People who have COVID now have told me about the terrible headaches, fatigue and sore throats,” Barron said. “It’s not a walk in the park. It’s not a cold. We equate a cold with having a runny nose and coughing.”

With both COVID-19 and the flu, people can get much sicker, and the symptoms can last for days.

“People get fevers and headaches and a really horrible sore throat. Somebody described it to me as feeling like they had swallowed razors,” Barron said. “It could be the flu. It could be COVID, but it’s much more severe than the common cold.

“Just to be clear, the common cold can be annoying as heck. But colds typically are limited to the upper airway,” Barron said. “With flu and COVID, you have more systemic issues. You might have muscle aches and body aches, and you feel so tired that even walking to the bathroom seems hard.”

Barron encourages people to get vaccines so they can stay healthy and can protect vulnerable friends, family members and co-workers.

“Don’t just do it for yourself. Look at the people in your household or in your life. If you have individuals in your life who have medical conditions — which can include your children — not getting COVID-19 and transmitting it to them is a really good idea.”

Should people still get tested for COVID-19 or flu if they feel sick?

Yes, there are simple tests, and if you feel lousy, it’s a good idea to figure out if you have COVID-19 or the flu.

“There are home tests for flu and for COVID,” Barron said. “And so why do you care (which illness you have)? Because there are medications you still can take that help diminish the symptoms, or if you’re a high-risk person, the medications are likely to keep you from ending up in the hospital. So testing is still important. The results just don’t get reported (to health agencies) like they used to.”

What’s your overall advice to people who are nervous about vaccines? 

Barron encourages people to talk with their medical providers if they’re worried.

Doctors’ primary concern is keeping patients healthy and safe.

“I understand that there’s a lot of fear and anxiety because there’s so much information out in the world, and it’s hard to discern what is real and what is not,” Barron said.

“This is where I put it back on individuals to talk to their provider. Your provider has no interest in anything other than keeping you healthy. It’s our job to keep you healthy,” she said.

Political affiliations and political opinions don’t matter.

“The doctor’s thoughts about the world are completely separate.  At the end of the day, our job is to keep you safe and healthy. We are not paid by pharmaceutical companies. None of us goes to medical school or nursing school or physician assistant school with the idea that we are going to harm someone,” Barron said.

“Get rid of the noise and just ask the person who actually cares for you and knows about vaccines and has studied the information,” she said. “We can give you really solid information.”