ATLANTA — Leading U.S. medical groups are issuing their own guidance on flu and COVID vaccines as updated shots begin arriving at pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
The FDA approved this year’s updated versions of the flu and COVID vaccines last week as flu season approaches and students return to school.
Vaccine recommendations typically come from the Atlanta-based CDC, but groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Diseases Society of America are releasing vaccination guidelines of their own this year in an effort to avoid confusion.
Medical groups generally agree that most people ages 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine. The groups say the last two flu seasons were especially harsh, with unusually high numbers of deaths among children.
Flu and COVID infections are rising as the fall and winter respiratory virus season approaches.
In general, people should receive their flu vaccine in September or October to allow time for protection during the peak flu season from December through February.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Sabrina Cupit contributed to this story.