Updated August 31, 2026

Flu season returns every year, and influenza can cause much more than a few days of feeling sick. For older adults, young children and people with certain medical conditions, the flu can lead to serious complications, hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are more likely to develop serious complications from influenza.

For CDPAP consumers, caregivers and families in New York, understanding who should get a flu shot—and when—is an important part of preparing for the 2026–27 flu season.

Why Is the Flu Shot Important?

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe. While many people recover without complications, the flu can cause pneumonia, worsen existing health conditions and result in hospitalization.

Flu vaccination reduces the risk of becoming sick with influenza and can also reduce the severity of illness among people who become infected despite being vaccinated. Studies have also shown that flu vaccination can reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Because the influenza viruses circulating in the community change over time and immunity from vaccination gradually declines, a new flu vaccine is recommended every year.

What’s Different About the 2026–27 Flu Vaccine?

The vaccines prepared for the 2026–27 U.S. flu season have been updated from last year’s vaccines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended changing all three influenza virus components included in the 2026–27 vaccine compared with the 2025–26 formulation. This includes an updated influenza A(H3N2) component designed to better match the H3N2 subclade K virus that spread widely during the previous flu season.

The annual update is one reason getting last year’s flu shot does not replace vaccination for the new flu season.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

Nearly everyone age 6 months and older should receive a seasonal flu vaccine unless they have a medical reason that prevents them from receiving an appropriate vaccine.

However, vaccination is especially important for people who have a higher risk of developing serious complications from influenza.

Higher-Risk Group	Why Flu Vaccination Is Particularly Important
Adults age 65 and older	Older adults have a greater risk of serious flu complications, hospitalization and death.
Young children	Children younger than 5, particularly those younger than 2, are at increased risk of complications.
Pregnant people	Pregnancy can increase the risk of serious influenza illness, and vaccination during pregnancy can also help protect the baby after birth.
People with chronic medical conditions	Conditions involving the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, nervous system, blood or metabolism can increase the risk of severe illness.
People with weakened immune systems	Certain diseases and medications can reduce the body’s ability to fight influenza.
People with diabetes	Influenza can make controlling blood sugar more difficult and can contribute to serious complications.
People living in nursing homes or long-term care settings	Flu can spread quickly in communal care environments where many residents may already have elevated health risks.
Caregivers and healthcare personnel	Vaccination helps protect the caregiver while also reducing the likelihood of bringing influenza to people at greater risk of severe illness.

Many people who receive CDPAP services are older adults or individuals living with chronic medical conditions or disabilities. That does not automatically mean every CDPAP consumer has the same level of influenza risk, but many consumers may fall into one or more groups for whom avoiding flu complications is particularly important.

Should Adults 65 and Older Get a Particular Flu Shot?

Yes. CDC guidance gives preference to certain flu vaccines for adults age 65 and older.

The three preferentially recommended options are Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad adjuvanted flu vaccine.

These vaccines may produce a stronger immune response in older adults than standard-dose, non-adjuvanted vaccines.

If one of the preferred vaccines is not available, however, adults 65 and older should receive another age-appropriate flu vaccine rather than delaying vaccination solely to wait for a preferred product.

Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help determine which vaccine is appropriate based on your age and medical history.

Why Flu Vaccination Matters for CDPAP Caregivers

CDPAP personal assistants often work closely with consumers in their homes. Depending on the consumer’s needs, this can involve prolonged close contact while assisting with bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, medications or other activities of daily living.

That close contact makes respiratory illness prevention particularly relevant.

A caregiver who develops influenza may become unable to provide scheduled care and can potentially expose the person receiving care to the virus. This is especially concerning when the consumer is older, immunocompromised or living with a chronic health condition.

For these reasons, CDC guidance specifically identifies healthcare personnel and household contacts or caregivers of high-risk individuals as important groups for influenza vaccination.

Is a Flu Shot Required to Be a CDPAP Personal Assistant?

Annual flu vaccination should not be confused with the health requirements currently listed by PPL for CDPAP personal assistants.

PPL’s current pre-employment health assessment requirements include a physical examination, documentation of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunity or vaccination, tuberculosis testing and a TB risk assessment. Seasonal influenza vaccination is not listed among those specific pre-employment items on PPL’s current health assessment page.

Personal assistants should continue to follow current PPL and New York State health requirements because employment requirements can change independently from general CDC vaccination recommendations.

When Should You Get Your Flu Shot in 2026?

For most people who need one flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally the best times to get vaccinated. Ideally, vaccination should occur by the end of October.

Most adults—particularly adults age 65 and older—generally should not receive their flu vaccine too early in July or August because protection may decrease as the flu season progresses. An earlier vaccine can still make sense when there is concern that the person may not have another opportunity to be vaccinated later.

Some children between 6 months and 8 years old need two doses of flu vaccine. When two doses are required, the first dose should be given as soon as the vaccine becomes available because the doses must be separated by at least four weeks.

Vaccination during July or August may also be considered for someone in their third trimester of pregnancy because maternal vaccination can provide protection to an infant during the first months of life, before the baby is old enough to receive a flu vaccine.

Is It Too Late to Get a Flu Shot After October?

No.

Although September and October are generally preferred, flu vaccination can still provide protection later in the season.

If you have not been vaccinated by the end of October, getting a flu shot in November, December or even later can still be beneficial while influenza viruses continue to circulate. Flu activity is unpredictable and can continue well into the spring.

Who Should Talk to a Doctor Before Getting a Flu Vaccine?

Children younger than 6 months cannot receive a flu vaccine.

People who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a previous influenza vaccine or who have a severe allergy to a particular vaccine ingredient should speak with a healthcare provider before vaccination.

The appropriate type of flu vaccine can also depend on age, pregnancy, medical history and other health factors. For example, the nasal spray vaccine is not appropriate for everyone, while certain vaccines are designed specifically for older adults.

People with egg allergies can receive any flu vaccine that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. CDC no longer recommends additional safety precautions for flu vaccination solely because someone has an egg allergy beyond the precautions normally used for vaccination.

Where Can You Get a Flu Shot in New York?

Flu vaccines are widely available throughout New York. Depending on your age, insurance coverage and healthcare needs, you may be able to receive one through your doctor’s office, pharmacy, health clinic, urgent care center or other community vaccination site.

If you have a chronic medical condition, take medications that affect your immune system or have previously had a reaction to a vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider about which flu vaccine is appropriate for you.

Protecting Yourself and the Person You Care For

Getting vaccinated against influenza is one practical way to reduce the likelihood of serious flu illness.

For CDPAP consumers, this can be particularly important because many people receiving home care are older or have medical conditions that increase their risk of complications. For personal assistants and family caregivers, preventing influenza can also help avoid interruptions in care and reduce the risk of exposing a vulnerable loved one.

For the 2026–27 season, most people age 6 months and older should plan to receive an age-appropriate flu vaccine, with September and October generally being the preferred vaccination window.

If you have questions about whether you or someone you care for should receive a flu vaccine, speak with a physician, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare provider.