With fall approaching, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is encouraging Granite Staters to take steps to protect themselves against seasonal respiratory viruses, including the flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Immunizations are available across New Hampshire and continue to offer the best protection against respiratory virus infection.

“Immunizations are important for preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from a respiratory virus infection,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. “We encourage everyone in New Hampshire to talk with their healthcare provider about which immunizations are recommended for them and to stay up to date on immunizations that protect themselves and their families during respiratory virus season.”

Health insurance plans should cover routine respiratory virus immunizations, but Granite Staters may want to check with their insurance provider to ensure that immunizations are covered.

Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 immunization recommendations are based on evidence-based guidance from expert medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). These organizations emphasize the consensus that the recommended vaccines offer significant health benefits with low risk of harm to those who receive them.

  • Flu: The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age or older. The seasonal flu vaccine has been updated to cover three different flu virus strains that are expected to be spreading this fall and winter.
  • RSV: A single lifetime dose of an RSV vaccine is recommended for:
    • All adults 75 years and older (based on age alone).
    • Adults 50-74 years old who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.
  • RSV: RSV immunization is recommended for:
    • Infants under 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season OR a pregnant mother between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to pass protective antibodies to her baby before birth which then protects the infant in the first few months after birth.
    • Infants and children 8 through 19 months of age who are at high risk of severe RSV and are entering their second RSV season.
  • COVID-19: The updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:
    • All Infants and children 6 – 23 months of age, because this age group is high risk for severe disease and hospitalization from COVID-19.
    • Children and adolescents 2 – 18 years of age who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19.
    • Children and adolescents 2 – 18 years who desire protection (or whose parent/guardian desires protection for them).
    • All adults 19 years and older, especially pregnant women, adults ≥65 years old, and those with chronic medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe COVID-19.

The following individuals are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory virus infections and are encouraged to seek immunization:

  • Infants and young children
  • Older adults
  • Pregnant women
  • People with chronic health conditions, including people who have asthma, diabetes, chronic lung or heart conditions, chronic kidney and liver disease, are overweight, etc.
  • Immunocompromised persons
  • Residents of long-term care facilities

Additional actions to prevent the spread of infection and stay healthy include frequent handwashing, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and staying home when sick. For those who do get sick with the flu or COVID-19, there are effective treatments available that can help reduce the duration of illness or make it less severe.

New Hampshire residents can monitor respiratory virus levels using the CDC’s Respiratory Illness Data Channel. If people have questions or concerns about seasonal respiratory virus immunizations, they are encouraged to talk to a healthcare provider. Anyone with questions about respiratory viruses can also contact DHHS at 603-271-4496.