What people aged 50 and older need to know about flu shots

Adults 50 and older have a flu vaccine option formulated for the 2026-2027 season. MFLUSIVA is intended for this age group and does not contain influenza viruses, so it cannot cause influenza disease.

The vaccine is part of a broader seasonal vaccination effort. The CDC says flu vaccines for the 2026-2027 season are available to people beginning at 6 months of age. All three virus components in vaccines used in the United States were changed from the previous season.

For adults, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated every year with a product appropriate for a person’s age and health status. That guidance applies across adult age groups rather than identifying one vaccine for everyone.

Adults 65 and older have additional vaccine guidance. The CDC says people in this age group should preferably receive a high-dose, recombinant, or adjuvanted flu vaccine. Those are the vaccine types specifically identified in the agency’s recommendation for older adults.

The topic was also discussed in an NPR segment. Ayesha Rascoe interviewed Ann Falsey of the University of Rochester Medical School about flu vaccination for adults 50 and older. The segment was published October 25, 2026, and runs for 5 minutes and 5 seconds.

For adults deciding which seasonal vaccine is appropriate, the available guidance separates age-based recommendations from product details. MFLUSIVA is intended for adults 50 and older, while CDC recommendations also specify preferred vaccine categories for those 65 and older. The agency’s broader guidance recommends annual vaccination for adults using a vaccine suited to their age and health status.