There’s a lot of info out there about vaccines — their efficacy, their safety, the science behind them — and much more. It can be hard to figure out what directly affects you and what doesn’t, but don’t worry! We’re here to help.
One of the most important things you can do to ensure that seasonal vaccinations work to their full potential is super simple, yet often overlooked.
It’s all about the timing.
So, when’s the right time to get a vaccine? We’ll get to that, but first — when’s the WRONG time to get a vaccine?
“The ‘wrong’ time to get a vaccine is when you hear about it on the news. By that point, it’s spread enough and is affecting enough people for it to become newsworthy — and you want to be protected before that happens.” — Dr. Neal Smoller, PharmD
In This Article:
- Why does timing matter for seasonal vaccinations?
- When is the best time to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- When is flu vaccine season?
- When should I get my RSV vaccine?
- What’s actually new this year
- Putting it all together
Why Does Timing Matter for Seasonal Vaccinations?
Top doctors and the vaccine experts at Village Apothecary all agree: never delay vaccination.
Always, always, always get vaccinated as soon as possible based on what the experts deem “optimal” timing. Why? Because it takes about 2 weeks from the vaccination date to build up a proper response — so waiting until the last minute simply won’t give you the protection you seek.
If we’re trying to optimize the protection we get from seasonal vaccines, we have to follow these guidelines, not just what feels best to us as individuals. (And certainly not what would be best for our work and holiday schedules, but wouldn’t that be great?)
The other important thing to remember is that while the optimal times to get these seasonal vaccines are relatively close to one another, it’s not as simple as waiting and getting them all at once. We also don’t want to try and “time it out” like some people try to time the stock market. You’ll probably lose that bet!
Learn More: The 2026-2027 Vaccine Season
When is the Best Time to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Short Answer this year: right now.
Normally we say late August to early September, ideally before Labor Day. That advice still holds in principle — the fall COVID wave has historically started pretty religiously after Labor Day.
But two things make this year different.
The doses arrived late. The 2026-2027 vaccines weren’t approved until August 27. In a typical year you’d have had a couple of weeks of runway before Labor Day. This year, “before Labor Day” and “as soon as you can get an appointment” are the same instruction.
The wave started early. Wastewater surveillance showed COVID levels climbing steadily from late June, with August concentrations running roughly double July’s nationally. We’re not waiting for the fall wave; we’re already in something.
Remember, while we have relatively consistent peaks of COVID in the summer and fall, COVID-19 is not seasonal like flu. You have a risk of getting COVID-19 infections all year, so continue doing your best to minimize exposure.
FAQ: What if I’ve recently had COVID?
We recommend you hold off on immediate immunization, since you have some natural protection for a time.
The general guidance has been that you can wait up to 3 months after infection before vaccination. That’s a recommendation, not a rule — technically, you can be vaccinated as soon as you’ve recovered and finished isolating.
Our advice: wait until about 2 months after you recover, then make your way to Village Apothecary to get your shot.
FAQ: What if I got a COVID shot recently?
Wait at least 8 weeks after your most recent dose before getting the updated 2026-2027 formula.
What Time of Year Should I Get The Flu Vaccine?
Short Answer: Generally October (or early November) — but watch out for early flu surges.
Flu season traditionally starts in late October or November, peaks between December and February, and lasts until about May. However, there are plenty of recorded examples of early starts, so effective vaccination has to take that into account. Generally, the ideal time to get vaccinated for flu is October or early November.
What’s new for flu this year: all three strains in the vaccine were updated from last season. Flu vaccines remain trivalent — two influenza A strains and one B strain. (The B/Yamagata lineage hasn’t been detected in circulation since 2020, so it’s no longer included.)
There’s also a genuinely new product this season. mFLUSIVA, the first mRNA flu vaccine, is now FDA-approved for adults 50 and older. It’s egg-free, and Moderna’s data showed stronger antibody responses than the high-dose flu vaccine in adults 65 and up. A couple of caveats worth knowing:
- Approval for ages 50-64 is standard. Approval for 65+ came through the accelerated pathway, with a confirmatory study still underway.
- Availability and insurance coverage are still being sorted out, and it may only be at select locations this season.
If you’re 65+, the established higher-dose and adjuvanted options (Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok, Fluad) remain excellent choices and are what we’ll reach for by default. If you’re curious about the mRNA option, ask us — we’ll tell you honestly whether we have it and whether it makes sense for you.
The most important flu vaccine is the one you actually get. If your preferred product isn’t available, take an appropriate alternative rather than delaying.
When Should I Get My RSV Vaccine?
Short Answer: Late summer to early fall — August is ideal.
RSV generally follows similar patterns to flu in our fall “storm” of respiratory illnesses — starting in late fall, peaking during winter, and lasting until around May. The best time to be vaccinated against RSV is between late summer and early fall.
Who it’s for: a single dose is recommended for all adults 75 and older, and for adults 50 to 74 with conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV — things like COPD, chronic heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, weakened immunity, or living in a nursing home. That 50-59 group was added in 2025, so if you were told a couple of years ago that you were too young, that may have changed.
This one is not annual. RSV vaccine appears to provide protection for at least two seasons. Recent CDC network data found roughly 57% effectiveness against RSV hospitalization across two seasons in adults 60 and older. Protection does appear to wane over time, and researchers are actively studying whether a repeat dose should eventually be recommended — but as of now, revaccination isn’t recommended. Most people vaccinated in 2023, 2024, or 2025 don’t need another dose.
Check your vaccination records or ask us to look it up. We’d rather check than guess.
Why we say August: RSV vaccines have to be reconstituted and take a little longer to prepare. Plus, availability can get spotty once everyone rushes out for COVID and flu shots. Come in when it’s quiet and we can give you the time.
Learn more: 2026-2027 RSV Vaccine Rundown: Everything You Need to Know
One Thing Worth Knowing This Year
If you’ve seen headlines about the CDC not having issued recommendations, here’s the short version.
Vaccine approval and vaccine recommendations are two separate processes. The FDA decides whether a vaccine is safe, effective, and correctly formulated — that process ran normally this year for both COVID and flu. A separate CDC advisory committee decides who should get what, and that committee has been unable to meet since a federal court ruling in March 2026 over how its members were appointed.
So some of the usual federal guidance is delayed or in limbo. The science behind these vaccines is not.
Two practical notes for our neighbors:
- In New York, access is protected by state law, not by federal committee action. Legislation signed in May 2026 decoupled New York’s insurance coverage requirements and pharmacist authority from that federal committee. We can vaccinate you, and your coverage has a state-level backstop.
- Call ahead. State law authorizes access; it doesn’t guarantee every product is on our shelf for every age group on a given day.
Putting It All Together: 2026-2027 Seasonal Vaccinations
Here are Dr. Neal’s recommendations for protecting yourself from seasonal illness this fall:
RSV — August, or as soon as you can if you’re eligible and haven’t had it
Fewer people around, better availability, and more time for us to talk it through. Remember it’s not annual — check your records first.
COVID-19 — now
The 2026-2027 formula is here, and there’s already a wave underway. Normally we’d say early September; this year the approval date and the wave both argue for not waiting.
Flu — October or early November
Don’t forget that we’ve had plenty of early flu seasons. If it seems like the flu is coming early, it probably is. Get your shot.
Can I get more than one at the same visit? Generally yes — COVID and flu vaccines can be given at the same appointment. Ask us, and we’ll help you sequence them sensibly.
Seasonal Vaccinations Made Simple
While this all seems pretty simple — and it is! — it’s important to remember that none of these “seasons” are set in stone. Dr. Neal‘s recommendations will go a long way toward getting your timing right and your protection optimized, but vaccines aren’t perfect, and viruses aren’t predictable. Even ones like the flu that we’ve been dealing with for decades.
If you start with an RSV shot in August (assuming you’re eligible and due), a COVID shot as soon as you can get in, and a flu shot in October, you should be pretty dang well-protected from the flurry of viral activity that characterizes the winter months.
But don’t keep your head in the sand. The flu can come early, COVID-19 infections can happen at any point during the year, and RSV isn’t perfectly predictable either. The absolute best thing you can do for your health is to get the vaccines in a timely manner, yes — but also stay vigilant, consider distancing or masking during peak season, and continue to avoid exposure as much as you reasonably can.
With all these tools in your toolbelt, plus Village Apothecary on your team, you’ll have the best support you can muster, no matter what this season looks like.
We research and reference this information, but also express the opinions of the experienced professionals at Village Apothecary. We are pharmacists, but we may not be YOUR pharmacist. Do not make any medical decisions without first contacting your primary care provider.