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Fall is the time to check your vaccinations. What should you focus on right now?
When autumn arrives, it brings not only sweaters, shorter days, and the first colds, but also a time when respiratory illnesses become more common. The flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal diseases can take a more severe course in some people. That’s why autumn is the perfect time to check whether your vaccinations are up to date and, if necessary, schedule a consultation with your doctor.
Flu: Once a Year, Ideally Before Flu Season
The flu is not just a “bad cold.” In some people, it can lead to serious complications or hospitalization. That is why vaccination is recommended every year. One reason for this is that flu viruses are constantly changing, and the vaccine’s composition is adapted to the variants currently circulating. In the Czech Republic, flu vaccination is recommended starting at 6 months of age, but with particular emphasis on older adults, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, young children, and those who come into contact with at-risk groups.
According to the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ), the ideal time for vaccination is October to December. However, it is not necessary to wait for a specific date; vaccination is also possible later in the season.
What about COVID-19?
COVID-19 has not disappeared from the fall prevention list either. In the upcoming winter season, we need to expect its occurrence, especially among people at increased risk of severe illness. Whether a booster shot is appropriate for you is assessed primarily based on:
- age,
-
health status,
- and other risk factors.
So it’s not a matter of automatically getting every available vaccination. The purpose of the fall checkup is to determine what’s right for you.
Pneumococcus and RSV: Two Vaccinations That Are Often Overlooked
Fall is a good time to discuss with your doctor vaccinations against pneumococcal disease and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. For pneumococcal infections, the risk of severe illness increases primarily with age and in people with certain chronic conditions. The same is true for RSV.
It’s always important to consult with your doctor about your individual health status, as they will take into account not only your age, health status, and previous vaccinations, but also other risk factors.
You Don’t Have to Do Everything at Once
Getting vaccinated doesn’t have to be an autumn chore that you have to get done in a single week. For the flu, it’s best to schedule your vaccination primarily between October and December, though the exact timing can be adjusted based on your health and vaccine availability.
The easiest way to start is therefore to ask: Is my vaccination still up to date?
If you’re not sure, bring your vaccination card or any available records of previous vaccinations to your appointment. Your primary care physician can go over with you which vaccinations make sense given your age and health status, and when it’s best to schedule them.
In short, fall is a good time to do one small thing for your future peace of mind: don’t just focus on what’s bothering you right now, but also think about what you can prevent.
Zdroje:
MINISTERSTVO ZDRAVOTNICTVÍ. Informace pro praktické lékaře, praktické lékaře pro děti a dorost a další vybrané odborné společnosti s blížícím se obdobím zvýšeného výskytu respiračních infekcí [online]. Praha: Ministerstvo zdravotnictví České republiky, 2026 [cit. 2026-09-30]. Dostupné z: https://mzd.gov.cz/informace-pro-pl-pldd-odborne-spolecnosti-ockovaci-latky-2026-2027/
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2026–2027 northern hemisphere influenza season [online]. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2026 [cit. 2026-09-30]. Dostupné z: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/recommended-composition-of-influenza-virus-vaccines-for-use-in-the-2026-2027-northern-hemisphere-influenza-season
STÁTNÍ ZDRAVOTNÍ ÚSTAV. Očkování proti chřipce 2026/2027 [online]. Praha: Státní zdravotní ústav, 2026 [cit. 2026-09-30]. Dostupné z: https://szu.gov.cz/temata-zdravi-a-bezpecnosti/a-z-infekce/ch/chripka/ockovani-proti-chripce-26-27/