New COVID, flu strains circulating. What new vaccines protect against - Lansing State Journal

Health experts recommend people start thinking about their annual fall flu and COVID shots as fall approaches, to help protect against the latest strains and variants circulating this fall and winter.

The flu shot provides crucial lifesaving protection against severe illness and prevents spreading the flu to your loved ones, according to the American Lung Association. Experts recommend getting your flu shot by late October, and opt for earlier in September or October if possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ahead of flu season, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended updated flu vaccines to protect against the influenza A (H3N2) subclade K virus of the flu that spread during last year's flu season, the CDC said.

Flu season in the U.S. typically runs from October to May, peaking in the winter between December and February, the CDC and Cleveland Clinic said.