Vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic

Pneumovax 23

Active immunization for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by S. Pneumoniae serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F in adults aged ≥50 years and children aged ≥2 years who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Flu Shot Recommendations From The CDC: 'Vaccination Should Continue Throughout The Season'

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that everyone over the age of six months who does not have a "severe, life-threatening" allergy to a component of the vaccine should receive a flu shot in the coming months. 

Most people should get one flu shot, ideally in September or October, said the CDC in its Aug. 23 announcement.

"However, vaccination should continue throughout the season as long as influenza viruses are circulating," the agency said.

DOCTORS URGE VACCINATIONS AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S FLU SEASON, WHICH COULD BE 'FAIRLY BAD,' EXPERTS SAY

Some children under the age of 9 will need two different flu shots four weeks apart, according to the CDC's guidance. 

The number of doses required is dependent upon the child's prior vaccination history — and the first dose should be given as early as possible. 

Everyone over the ages of six months, with very few exceptions, should get a flu vaccine this year, according to the CDC. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

"Vaccination during July and August can be considered for children of any age who require only one dose," the CDC said. 

All the flu vaccines distributed in the United States during the 2023-2024 flu season will be "quadrivalent," or four-component. 

NEW COVID SUBVARIANT, ERIS, IS NOW MOST COMMON AND FASTEST-SPREADING IN US: 'NEVER GOING AWAY'

Not everyone who gets a flu shot will be getting the same one, however.

Two of the eight approved flu shots are only for those over the age of 65; two are approved only for those older than 6 months and younger than 3 years; and another is approved only for people over the age of 18. 

Some children under the age of 9 will need two different flu shots four weeks apart, according to the CDC's new guidance.  (iStock)

Individuals with egg allergies will have additional flu vaccine choices for the 2023-2024 flu season, the CDC announced.

"People with egg allergy may get any vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status," said the agency.

Eight "quadrivalent" flu shots are approved for distribution in the United States for the 2023-2024 flu season. (iStock)

Previously, those who were allergic to eggs could not receive certain flu shots because they were created with an egg component. 

"Beginning with the 2023-2024 season, additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination of people with an egg allergy beyond those recommended for receipt of any vaccine, regardless of the severity of previous reaction to egg," said the CDC. 

About a fifth, or 21%, of the approximately 170 million flu vaccines distributed in the U.S. Will be egg-free.

EARLY SURGE OF FLU ACTIVITY IN AUSTRALIA HAS DOCTORS ON ALERT FOR WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN US THIS FALL AND WINTER

Before this flu season, the CDC recommended that those who had experienced signs of a severe egg allergy should receive a flu vaccine "in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting." 

Although the CDC is no longer recommending these extra precautions, the guidance states that "all vaccines should be given in settings where allergic reactions can be recognized and treated quickly."

For the first time, the CDC is encouraging those with egg allergies to get any of the available flu shots. (Marco Bello/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

And for those who may be spooked by needles, the CDC advises that "healthy non-pregnant persons aged 2 through 49 years may alternatively receive 0.2 mL of [Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine], 0.1 mL per nostril, using the supplied intranasal sprayer." 

Women who will be pregnant during the flu season are advised to get either a recombinant or inactive flu vaccine. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Those at the highest risk of complications from influenza are the very young, the very old, pregnant women, those with immunocompromising conditions and those with pre-existing lung or heart conditions.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

People who are immunocompromised should not receive the live flu vaccine, but can receive the inactive or recombinant version, according to the CDC.

Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Fauci 'concerned' People Won't Comply If Masking Recommendations Return: 'I Hope' They 'abide'

In a Saturday interview, former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke out in defense of masking up amid today's rising COVID cases.

In the event that masks are again recommended, he is "concerned that people will not abide by recommendations," he said in the interview. 

"I would hope that if we get to the point that the volume of cases is such and organizations like the CDC recommends – CDC does not mandate anything – recommends that people wear masks, I would hope that people abide by that recommendation and take into account the risks to themselves and their families," Fauci told CNN.

CITING RISING COVID CASES, THESE US HOSPITAL SYSTEMS HAVE NOW REINSTATED MASK MANDATES

Fauci, who also served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health until December 2022, also called into question a January 2023 Cochrane study that found masking to be ineffective.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is shown removing his protective mask during a Senate hearing on May 17, 2022. (Getty Images)

"When you're talking about the effect on the pandemic as a whole, the data is less strong," Fauci said.

"But when you talk about an individual basis of someone protecting themselves … there's no doubt that there's many studies that show that there is an advantage [to masks]."

The Cochrane study, led by 12 researchers from esteemed universities around the world, compared the use of medical/surgical masks to wearing no masks.

FACE MASKS MADE 'LITTLE TO NO DIFFERENCE' IN PREVENTING SPREAD OF COVID, SCIENTIFIC REVIEW FINDS

The review found that "wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu-like illness/COVID-like illness (nine studies; 276,917 people); and probably makes little or no difference in how many people have flu/COVID confirmed by a laboratory test (six studies; 13,919 people)."

Some doctors are concerned about possible harmful effects of masking on young children, particularly in terms of socialization and learning. "Sweeping recommendations, as Dr. Fauci appears to be suggesting, don't work," Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital. (Paul Bersebach / File)

COVID hospitalizations increased 18.8% between Aug. 13 and Aug. 17 while deaths rose 17.6% between Aug. 20 and Aug. 26, per the CDC.

The numbers, however, remain far below the most recent spike in January 2023.

Weekly national hospitalizations were 15,067 as of Aug. 19; they were 44,410 in January 2023. 

They peaked at 150,674 in January 2022.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, pointed out that while the CDC may not mandate masks, the agency's recommendations have frequently led to state, local and business mandates.

PARENTS NOW QUESTION WHETHER COVID MASK MANDATES DID MORE HARM THAN GOOD

"I agree that high-grade masks in close quarters do have a use, especially if there is a lot of virus around and you are encountering people at high risk," he told Fox News Digital.

"But masks only work at all if they are worn properly."

He added, "A study from the University of Minnesota showed that 30% of people don't even wear them over their noses."

Weekly national hospitalizations for COVID were 15,067 as of Aug. 19; they were 44,410 in January 2023. (iStock)

The doctor is also concerned about the negative effect of masking on young children, particularly in terms of socialization and learning.

"Also, young children often don't wear them properly, as Dr. John Walkup, chief of child psychiatry at Northwestern, told me in an interview," Siegel noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Siegel said he does believe that masks have a practical use in medical centers and doctors' offices if there are a lot of respiratory viruses around.

"But sweeping recommendations, as Dr. Fauci appears to be suggesting, don't work," added Dr. Siegel.

The CDC's most recent face mask order, which required all Americans to wear face coverings while taking public transportation, expired with the termination of the COVID public health emergency on May 11. (Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg via Getty Images / File)

The CDC's most recent face mask order, which required all Americans to wear face coverings while taking public transportation, expired with the termination of the COVID public health emergency on May 11.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Although no U.S. States currently have mask mandates in place, several hospitals, schools and companies have begun requiring them yet again.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. 

---