Which flu vaccines are available this year?
Flu vaccines for the 2025-2026 influenza season are now available. All vaccines are trivalent, and will protect against an H1N1, H3N2 and a B/Victoria lineage virus. It is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit, unless advised differently from your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Examples of flu vaccines available in the 2025-2026 season include:
- Egg-based vaccines Afluria, Fluarix, FluLaval, Fluzone - all approved for individuals 6 months of age or older. These are all inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV3s) injections that are egg-based. Afluria can be given with the Stratis needle-free jet injector in people 18 to 64 years of age. Flucelvax can be used in 6 months and older but is cell-culture based without egg proteins.
- FluMist is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) nasal spray vaccine for ages 2 to 49 years old, and contains egg proteins. This vaccine may not be recommended for use in pregnant people, immunocompromised people, or people with certain medical conditions, so talk to your doctor to determine if FluMist is right for you or your child. FluMist for self- or caregiver administration at home is now available for the 2025-2026 influenza season, but it still requires a prescription.
- The 3 vaccines options available in 2025-2026 for people 65 years of age and older include: Fluzone High Dose, an inactivated, egg-based injection and Fluad, a standard dose, adjuvanted, egg-based injection. An adjuvant is an ingredient used in some vaccines that helps create a stronger immune response. Flublok, a recombinant (egg-free) formulation is also recommended for the 65+ age group. If one of these not available, the CDC advises people 65 or older should get any other age-appropriate flu vaccine, instead of delaying.
- Egg-free vaccines include: Flublok, a recombinant formulation, is used in adults 18 years and older. It’s inactivated but not an egg-based vaccine. It's also one of 3 options preferred for 65 years and older. Flucelvax injection can be used in those 6 months and older - it's cell culture-based, inactivated but contains no egg proteins.
Note: Quadrivalent vaccines containing influenza B/Yamagata will not be available in 2025-2026 because naturally occurring B/Yamagata viruses in global surveillance have not been detected since March, 2020.
Check with your pharmacy to determine which vaccines they have available and in stock.
To learn more, considering reviewing: How can I get a flu vaccine without a needle?
This is not all the information you need to know about the 2025-2026 influenza vaccine for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Influenza (Flu): ACIP Recommendations Summary, 2025-26. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Aug 28, 2025. Accessed Sep 7, 2025 at at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/hcp/acip/index.html
- Grohskopf LA, Blanton LH, Ferdinands JM, et al. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2025–26 Influenza Season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2025;74:500–507. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7432a2
- Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics. Sept .17, 2024. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Accessed Sep 7, 2025 at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/index.html
Read next
How and where is a flu shot injection given?
The flu shot is usually given as an intramuscular (IM) needle injection into the upper, outer arm muscle called the deltoid muscle in people 3 years of age and older. The preferred injection site for infants and young children is the front, outer area of the thigh. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine every year, typically in Sept. or Oct.
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What flu vaccine can I use with an egg allergy?
Egg-free vaccines include Flublok Quadrivalent, for people 18 years and older and Flucelvax Quadrivalent for people 6 months and older. The CDC now states that people with egg-allergy may receive any flu vaccine appropriate for their age and health status. Continue reading
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Both FluMist nasal flu vaccine and the flu shot offer good protection against influenza when vaccines are well-matched to the year’s circulating virus. In 2023-2024, the flu vaccine was 52% to 61% effective in preventing hospitalization in children 6 months to 17 years and 41% to 44% effective in preventing hospitalization in adults ages 18 years and older.
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