Several leading medical organizations have released updated recommendations for flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for the 2026-27 respiratory season. The guidance, available through the Vaccine Integrity Project, is especially important for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) because some MS treatments can affect immune defenses or the body’s response to vaccines.

MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Some disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS affect how the immune system works and may increase the risk of certain infections or reduce the immune response to some vaccines.

Vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight specific viruses. This can help your body respond more quickly if you’re exposed to them.

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There isn’t one vaccine plan that’s right for everyone with MS. Your age, treatment plan, immune function, vaccination history, and other health conditions can all influence which vaccines are recommended and when you should receive them.

The Vaccine Integrity Project, working with the American Medical Association, reviewed the latest evidence on flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations for the 2026-27 respiratory season. The findings helped inform recommendations from several leading medical organizations, including:

The review included 299 studies published mostly between August 2025 and June 2026. It found that flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations continued to provide meaningful protection against hospitalization, severe illness, and death.

The amount of protection can vary based on the virus, the vaccine or immunization, the season, and a person’s health. For people with MS, vaccination decisions should take into account factors such as age, DMT use, and immune function.

For the 2026-27 respiratory season, COVID-19 and flu vaccines have updated formulations. There are also three RSV vaccines for adults. These vaccines differ in how they are made and which age groups or risk groups they are approved for.

COVID-19 Vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four COVID-19 vaccine options. All four vaccines are given by injection.

Flu Vaccines

All U.S. flu vaccines for the 2026-27 season are trivalent, meaning they are designed to protect against three influenza viruses.

Most people need one flu vaccine dose each season. Some children ages 6 months through 8 years may need a second dose based on their vaccination history. For some people with MS, the timing of the flu vaccine may need to be coordinated with DMTs.

RSV Vaccines

There are three FDA-approved adult RSV vaccines.

For adults, the CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for everyone age 75 and older and for adults ages 50 through 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV illness. For people with weakened immune systems, the IDSA recommends RSV vaccination starting at age 18.

Some MS treatments can weaken immune defenses, so your healthcare team can help determine whether this guidance applies to you. The RSV vaccine isn’t currently given every year.

For people who are immunocompromised, the benefits of vaccination generally outweigh the risks. Current evidence shows that flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations can reduce hospitalization, severe illness, and death. People with weakened immune systems may not respond as strongly to vaccines, but vaccination can still provide protection.

Vaccines can cause side effects, but serious side effects are uncommon. Your healthcare team can explain what to expect and help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your:

The right vaccine and timing can vary for people with MS. Some DMTs change how the immune system works and may affect the safety, timing, or effectiveness of certain vaccines. MS vaccination guidance recommends considering a person’s treatment when planning vaccination.

It’s important to ask not only which products are available, but which type, dose, and timing make sense for you.

Your healthcare team may consider:

Some vaccine types may not be appropriate with certain MS treatments. For example, the nasal spray flu vaccine is a live vaccine and generally shouldn’t be used by people taking DMTs that suppress the immune system.

Timing Around Treatments

Timing may also matter. The American Academy of Neurology recommends getting needed vaccines before starting certain DMTs when possible. The specific timing can depend on the vaccine and the treatment.

For people already taking a DMT, MS vaccination guidance recommends considering the specific therapy when deciding when to vaccinate.

Your neurology team can recommend the best timing based on your treatment and immune function. Don’t delay, skip, or change MS treatment to get vaccinated unless your healthcare team recommends it.

Some MS treatments can cause a weaker immune response to vaccines. That doesn’t mean vaccination has no benefit.

The Vaccine Integrity Project found that respiratory-virus immunizations continued to reduce severe outcomes among people with immunocompromising conditions, although protection varied.

In many cases, COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines can be given at the same visit.

Whether that makes sense for you may depend on your MS treatment schedule, previous vaccinations, expected side effects, and other health needs. Ask your healthcare team whether getting more than one vaccine at the same appointment is appropriate.