Preventing the Flu

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Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now rolling out across Vermont.

Vaccines are available now at some locations, and they will be widely available in the coming weeks.

Check your health insurance benefits.
Contact your pharmacy or health care provider to find out which vaccines are available and to make an appointment.
If you are under 65 years old and you don't have a primary care provider or health insurance, local health offices will have vaccines available for free by appointment in the coming weeks.

Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot each year. Getting the flu shot helps protect you, your family and your community. Flu vaccines are widely available at pharmacies*, primary care practices, local health offices and other places where you get vaccinated.

You can get your flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19.
Are you 65 or older? Contact your health care provider or local pharmacy to find out which vaccine is right for you. More on flu and people 65 years and older (CDC)
Are you pregnant? Get a flu shot to protect yourself and your baby. A CDC study found that getting vaccinated against the flu while pregnant protected infants under 6 months from flu-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Learn more about vaccines during pregnancy.

*Note: Except for COVID-19, Medicaid does not cover the cost for Medicaid-insured children to get vaccinated at Vermont pharmacies.

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Take Other Prevention Steps

Prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid contact with sick individuals. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your nose when you cough and sneeze.
Take flu medications if your doctor prescribes them. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness.
Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of fluids.

About the Flu Vaccine

The Vermont Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage all Vermonters to get vaccinated, especially those at high risk of complications.

Vaccination is recommended if you are:

Age 6 months and older
At high risk of complications from the flu, or if you are in contact with someone who is at high risk

High-risk groups include:

Pregnant people
Breastfeeding people
All adults 50 years of age and older
Residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities
Health care workers
Travelers
People with certain chronic medical conditions
People with a compromised immune system
Anyone with a condition that can compromise respiratory function
People at high risk for severe complications from influenza

Learn about flu vaccine coverage in Vermont

Learn more about flu vaccine from CDC

Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

Flu viruses are constantly changing, so the vaccine is reviewed each year and updated as needed based on which influenza viruses are making people sick, how much those viruses are spreading, and how well last season’s vaccine protected against those viruses.

How well the flu vaccine works varies from season to season. Each flu season, CDC studies how well the flu vaccine protects against flu illness.

Learn more about flu vaccine effectiveness

For the 2024-2025 flu season, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends flu shots and nasal spray as options for vaccination this season. The nasal spray is approved for use in non-pregnant people, two years through 49 years of age. People with some medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.

Nasal spray flu vaccine effectiveness studies

More Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/flu-resources/