RIDOH Issues Vaccination Recommendations for Respiratory Virus Season

Published on Wednesday, September 16, 2026

With increases in levels of COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) expected in the coming weeks and months, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) urges everyone to stay as healthy and safe as possible by getting vaccinated.  

“Last year, flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses sent hundreds of Rhode Islanders to the hospital, and countless other people had to miss work, school, and other activities because they got sick or a family member got sick,” said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. “Vaccination is your best protection. It can help you avoid a serious illness, and it can help keep the other people in your life healthy and safe, too.” 

RIDOH’s respiratory virus vaccine recommendations: 

• Flu: Everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu shot every year. A new flu shot is needed every year because flu viruses constantly change and the protection from past vaccines fades over time. Flu vaccination is especially important for older adults, young children, people with underlying medical conditions, and healthcare workers. Flu vaccination is also safe, effective, and very important during pregnancy.  
• COVID-19: Children age 6 months to 2 years should be vaccinated every year, along with people age 19 and older, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems. Children age 2 to 18 at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19 should also be vaccinated. If a child is 2 through 18 and is not considered at increased risk for severe COVID-19, but their parent or guardian still wants that child to be vaccinated, that parent or guardian should talk to the child’s healthcare professional. To boost protection, adults age 65 and older should get a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after the first. 
• RSV: RSV vaccination is important for many people, including many infants, young children, and older adults. Talk to your healthcare professional about whether you or a child in your family should get the RSV vaccine.

Review a complete breakdown of these vaccination recommendations by age group and patient type.  

Flu vaccine is available throughout Rhode Island at pharmacies, the offices of many primary care providers, and community health centers. COVID vaccine is available in pharmacies as well, and will become available in the offices of primary care providers and community health centers in the coming weeks. Starting in October, flu and COVID-19 vaccines will also be available at community clinics. These clinics are held in the late afternoon and evening at schools and are open to the entire community (in addition to clinics run during school hours for children). It’s safe to get flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. RSV vaccine is available at pharmacies for older adults and pregnant people (in addition to being available through many OB-GYNs and primary care professionals). Other people looking for RSV vaccine should reach out to their primary care provider. 

RIDOH’s immunization recommendations align with the recommendations of several established, trusted medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Infectious Diseases Society of America. They also align with the respiratory virus vaccine recommendations of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a voluntary coalition of 16 public health agencies that share expertise, improve coordination, enhance capacity, strengthen regional readiness, and protect evidence-based public health within their jurisdictions. 

During the 2025-2026 flu season, 861 people were hospitalized with flu in Rhode Island. Like other states, Rhode Island had a significant, early peak in flu activity. Additionally, 679 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 during this period. Rhode Island had 54 flu-related deaths last flu season and 31 COVID-19-related deaths during this period.   

Other ways to help prevent respiratory viruses: 

• If you have flu-like symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, or fever, stay home for at least 24 hours after your symptoms are getting better and 24 hours after the fever is gone. Measure your temperature without the use of fever-reducing medicines, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol.  Avoid contact with others during that time, especially older adults and people with underlying health conditions. Then take added precautions for the next 5 days. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Always wash your hands as soon as you can after you cough or sneeze.  
• Wash your hands regularly throughout the day using soap for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands. 
• People with respiratory viruses who have high-risk conditions or who live in households with high-risk individuals should talk to their healthcare professional about taking antiviral medications to treat the virus or prevent transmission. 
• Prevention measures are particularly important for people at higher risk for serious illness from respiratory viruses Learn more about people at increased risk for severe respiratory illnesses. 

Find more information about vaccination at health.ri.gov/immunization and about respiratory viruses at health.ri.gov/respiratory-viruses