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With the CDC's vaccine advisory committee sidelined by a federal court ruling, leading medical groups are stepping in to guide flu shot decisions this fall. Experts agree that adults 65+ should prioritize enhanced flu vaccines, and a brand-new mRNA flu shot from Moderna is now in the mix. October remains the sweet spot for getting vaccinated.
With the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) effectively frozen following a federal judge's ruling that blocked HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s panel appointments, leading medical groups have stepped up to fill the guidance gap for this flu season. For adults 65 and older, the message from experts is clear: get an enhanced flu vaccine — and October is the ideal time to do it.
Three established enhanced options remain available for older adults: the high-dose (Fluzone High-Dose), adjuvanted (Fluad), and recombinant (Flublok) vaccines — all shown to outperform standard-dose shots by roughly 20% in seniors. New to the lineup this season is Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, mFlusiva, FDA-approved in August for adults 50–64 and granted accelerated approval for those 65+, pending confirmatory trial data.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: After two consecutive severe flu seasons, experts are urging older adults not to delay — flu is unpredictable, and protection takes two weeks to kick in. As one expert put it: "Don't try to fake out flu. Just get your vaccine."
