09/29/2026
From our guest writer Dr. Rick Kaner
Stay Protected this Fall: Vaccines to Consider
Influenza
Influenza directly accounts for 25,000ā45,000 deaths annually in the U.S. senior population. When you factor in secondary eventsāheart attacks, pneumonia, or other organ failure triggered by influenzaāthe associated death toll is significantly higher.
Vaccination has been shown to reduce deaths from the primary infection by 30ā35%. The high-dose vaccine provides a further 20ā30% reduction in death beyond that.
Combined, the death rate from primary infection and the much higher death rate from the cardiac events, secondary infections, and other complications influenza can trigger make the flu shot one of the most important proactive things you can do for your health.
Influenza peaks at different times in different regions. In our area, peak risk usually falls in mid-winter (around February). Community spread can start well before that, and while the vaccine offers some protection within a couple of weeks, it takes about six weeks to reach peak effectiveness, which then holds for roughly two months before slowly tapering offāabout six months of coverage overall.
That's a lot to digest. The short version: seniors (over 65) should get a high-dose vaccine, ideally starting in October. Most pharmacies now stock recombinant vaccines, which have been the standard for several years. Just recently, Moderna had their mRNA vaccine(similar technology to the Covid and RSV vaccines) approved. It is named mFLUSIVA and one early study suggests it is 27% more effective in the 50 to 64 year olds than a standard high-dose flu shot. Nasal or non-injectable vaccines can be used in those under age 50 but should generally be avoided in seniors. Some medical conditions may make vaccination inadvisable, so always check with your physician first.
Some people feel mild flu-like symptoms for a day or two afterwardāmuch milder than the flu itselfābut there are no significant long-term side effects.
There is a lot of opinion, partial facts, and unsupported theory circulating on social media, but the science remains crystal clear: vaccines save lives and significantly reduce non-fatal complications of disease.
COVID-19
COVID-19 remains disproportionately dangerous for older adultsāmore than 80% of U.S. COVID-19 deaths have occurred in people over 65, even though this group makes up a much smaller share of the population. As with influenza, the danger isn't limited to the infection itself; COVID-19 can trigger strokes, heart attacks, and severe secondary infections, particularly in people with underlying heart, lung, or metabolic conditions.
Vaccination substantially lowers this risk. Real-world studies in older adults have consistently found that vaccination reduces COVID-19 death by roughly 80ā95%, with the strongest protection in the months right after a dose and adequate coverage for at least 6 months. Even with waning coverage, vaccinated seniors who do get infected are far less likely to be hospitalized or die than unvaccinated seniors.
Unlike influenza, COVID-19 doesn't yet follow a single predictable seasonal pattern, though it has tended to produce a winter wave alongside periodic surges tied to new variants. As noted, protection wanes over time, which is why staying current with the vaccineānot just having received one at some pointāmatters most.
The current guidance for the 2025ā2026 season: adults 65 and older are recommended to get vaccinated based on a conversation with their doctor (what the CDC calls "individual-based" or "shared clinical decision-making," rather than a blanket recommendation like the flu shot). For those without immune problems, that generally means two doses of the updated vaccine spaced about six months apart. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need additional doses on a different schedule. Several vaccine options are available (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax), and your provider can advise which is most appropriate for you.
As with the flu vaccine, some people experience a day or two of arm soreness, fatigue, or mild flu-like symptoms afterward, but no significant long-term side effects have been identified in seniors. And as with influenza, the noise around COVID-19 vaccines on social media has often outpaced the evidenceāthe data continues to show that vaccination meaningfully reduces death and severe illness in this age group.
Hereās to your good health through the coming Fall and Winter months.
Kaner Medical Consulting PLLC
Richard Kaner, MD
website: Kanermedicalconsulting.com
Email: [email protected]
As always, please consult with your healthcare provider regarding which vaccinations are appropriate for you.
