If getting a flu shot slips to the bottom of your to-do list each fall, you are not alone. Yet influenza remains a steady seasonal threat in the United States, causing millions of illnesses every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that a typical season can bring 9 to 41 million illnesses, 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations, and 12,000 to 52,000 deaths. Vaccination is the best defense, and this season brings a familiar lineup of vaccines plus a notable convenience update for the nasal spray option. Here is what to know about the 2025–2026 flu season, which vaccines will be offered, what is new, and how to get protected.
What to Expect This Flu Season
Influenza is a contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It spreads mainly through droplets when people talk, cough, or sneeze, and it can lead to complications such as pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions, and hospitalization. Getting vaccinated each season is recommended for nearly everyone 6 months and older, with few exceptions. When the vaccine is well matched to circulating viruses, studies show it can reduce the risk of flu illness by 40% to 60%. Even when protection is not perfect, vaccination has been linked to fewer severe outcomes, including lower rates of hospitalization and ICU admission.
The 2025–2026 Vaccine Formula: All Trivalent
All U.S. flu vaccines for the 2025–2026 season are expected to be trivalent. That means each dose targets three groups of influenza viruses that public health experts anticipate will circulate: influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2), and influenza B from the Victoria lineage. The goal is broad protection against the dominant A viruses and the B lineage most likely to appear.
You will see a range of manufacturing platforms on offer. Egg-based vaccines remain widely used. Cell-based vaccines grow the virus in cultured cells instead of eggs, which can help preserve the virus’s characteristics during production. Recombinant vaccines do not use live influenza virus or eggs at all, and they are produced with a different technology that can be scaled quickly. All three approaches are designed to deliver comparable protection, with choices that fit various ages and settings.
Access and Cost: What Most People Pay
For many, the flu shot is a covered benefit. Most health insurance plans treat annual influenza vaccination as preventive care and pay for it. You may still see an administrative or office visit fee in some settings, so ask about charges when you book. If you do not have insurance, low- or no-cost options are often available through local health departments, community clinics, and pharmacies.
Vaccines.gov is a reliable tool to find flu shots nearby and to check appointment options. You can search by ZIP code and filter by vaccine type or location. Parents should know about the Vaccines for Children program, which provides federally purchased vaccines to eligible children through age 18. Eligibility is based on criteria such as Medicaid enrollment, being uninsured or underinsured, or receiving care through Indian Health Service. Participating providers can help families determine if they qualify.
What’s New: FluMist Nasal Spray at Home
A notable update is coming for the nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist. On September 20, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared FluMist for self-administration by adults or administration by a caregiver, expanding options beyond the clinic. This change is expected to begin rolling out as early as the 2025–2026 season. For now, many people will continue to receive FluMist from a healthcare professional in clinical settings, including pharmacies, until the new pathway becomes more widely available.
Here is how the updated use works. Adults ages 18 to 49 may self-administer FluMist. Caregivers age 18 or older may administer it to recipients ages 2 to 17. FluMist is a live attenuated influenza vaccine delivered as a nasal spray, and for 2025–2026 it contains the same three vaccine virus components found in other trivalent vaccines, covering H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria. The expanded administration options could make vaccination more convenient for families and busy adults who prefer a needle-free choice.
Where and How to Get Vaccinated
Flu vaccines are widely available at primary care offices, pediatric practices, community health centers, retail pharmacies, and pop-up or on-site clinics. Many locations offer walk-in hours during peak season. Vaccines.gov can help you find locations, confirm the types of vaccines in stock, and schedule appointments.
Even when the vaccine itself is covered, there may be an administration fee in some settings. If you are uninsured, ask about community clinics or public health events that provide free flu shots. For children, check whether your pediatrician participates in the Vaccines for Children program, or search for VFC providers through your state or local health department.
Timing, Choice, and Peace of Mind
Plan to get vaccinated in the early fall, before flu activity picks up in your area, while remembering that getting vaccinated later still offers protection. If you have a preferred format, such as a standard egg-based shot, a cell-based or recombinant option, or the nasal spray where appropriate, ask your provider or pharmacist. Any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine is suitable for most people, and the most important step is to get protected.
The bottom line for 2025–2026 is simple. All flu shots in the United States are trivalent this season, targeting two A strains and one B lineage for broad coverage. You can choose among egg-based, cell-based, and recombinant options, and a new self or caregiver pathway for the FluMist nasal spray may add convenience for eligible users. With insurance coverage common, programs for children, and low- or no-cost clinics for those without coverage, access is within reach. A single appointment can lower your risk of illness, help protect your community, and keep you in your routine when flu season arrives.