Tame It

Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease can range from mild to life-threatening, and even healthy people can sometimes become seriously ill. These diseases can cause pneumonia, worsen existing health conditions, and lead to hospitalization or death.

The respiratory vaccines you need depend on factors such as your age, health conditions, pregnancy status, and vaccination history. Flu vaccination is recommended annually for everyone age 6 months and older while recommendations for COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccination vary based on a range of factors.

Evidence-based vaccination schedules from leading medical societies can help you identify the vaccines recommended for you and your family, and talking to a healthcare professional can help confirm the specific vaccines and doses you or your family need.

Vaccines are among the most thoroughly tested and safest medical products available. Before approval, all vaccines–including those for respiratory illnesses—undergo robust testing and several phases of clinical trials. Regulators then review the trial results, manufacturing process, and product quality before the vaccine becomes available. After approval, multiple safety monitoring systems continue tracking the vaccine to ensure any potential side effects or safety signals are identified and addressed early.

No, vaccines cannot give you the respiratory illness they are meant to help protect against. Some people experience temporary side effects such as a sore arm, tiredness, headache, or mild fever following vaccination. These are signs your immune system is responding to the vaccine—not that you have the illness—and typically resolve within a few days.

While it is still possible to get sick even after receiving a vaccine, vaccination strengthens your body’s ability to recognize and fight infection. This means that even if you are exposed to, and develop an infection, getting vaccinated can reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The best time to get vaccinated depends on the vaccine. Flu vaccination is recommended every year, usually in the fall, while the timing of COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccination depends on factors such as age, health and pregnancy status, and vaccination history. Learn more about vaccine recommendations here and talk with your healthcare professional about which vaccines are right for you and your family, and when each dose is due.

Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines may be available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, community health centers, local health departments, and at some workplace or community clinics. Preventive RSV antibodies for babies are generally administered at the hospital or by a pediatrician or other pediatric healthcare professional. Availability can vary based on vaccine type, age of patient, and state—talk to a healthcare professional about which vaccines are right for you and your family and call ahead to confirm that the location offers the protection you need.

Yes. Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines can generally be given during the same visit when they are due. Babies can also receive a preventive RSV antibody at the same time as routine childhood vaccines.

Importantly, the immune system has no problem managing multiple vaccines at once—it’s built to respond to many antigens simultaneously and responds to and fends off many foreign pathogens every day.

Nearly all private and public health insurance–including Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE—covers these vaccines without copays.

For children who are uninsured or underinsured (e.g., children with a health insurance plan that doesn’t cover vaccines), the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides recommended vaccines free of cost. For adults without insurance, free or lower-cost options may also be available through patient assistance programs or state or local health departments.

Coverage can vary based on the vaccine, your eligibility, and where you receive it, so check with your insurance plan or healthcare professional provider before your appointment.