Several leading medical organizations have released updated recommendations for flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for the 2026-27 respiratory season. This guidance may be especially important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who may have a higher risk of serious respiratory infections.

COPD is a chronic lung condition, and respiratory infections can worsen breathing symptoms or contribute to a COPD exacerbation (flare-ups). The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) includes vaccination among preventive care considerations for people with COPD.

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 COPD. Your age, COPD severity, vaccination history, other health conditions, and whether you’re currently ill can influence which vaccines are recommended and when you receive them.

The Vaccine Integrity Project, working with the American Medical Association (AMA), 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 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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine for all adults age 18 and older. Having COPD increases the risk of severe COVID-19, but COPD alone doesn’t mean you’re immunocompromised or need the modified vaccine schedule recommended for people with weakened immune systems.

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 annually. Some children may need a second dose based on their age, vaccination history, or individual health circumstances. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for most adults, including people with COPD. Vaccination is especially important for people with COPD because they have a higher risk of serious flu complications. The best vaccine and timing may depend on your age and other health conditions.

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, including people with COPD. The RSV vaccine isn’t currently given every year.

For people with COPD, 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. A COPD-specific review also found fewer exacerbations after flu vaccination, although evidence was less clear for hospitalization and death.

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 COPD. Your healthcare team may consider your:

Ask which vaccines and doses make sense for you and when you should receive them.

If you’re having a moderate or severe COPD exacerbation, your healthcare team may recommend waiting until your symptoms improve before getting vaccinated. Don’t delay, skip, or change COPD treatment to get vaccinated unless your healthcare team recommends it.

Timing Around Treatments

There is no single vaccine schedule for every person with COPD. Your healthcare team can recommend the best timing based on your symptoms, treatment, vaccination history, and current vaccine guidance.

People with COPD may still benefit from vaccination. Having COPD increases the risk of serious respiratory infections, but COPD alone doesn’t mean you’re immunocompromised or automatically need an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Research in people with COPD has found benefits from flu vaccination, including fewer exacerbations. A review of RSV vaccine studies found that people with COPD were included in clinical trials, but results specifically for COPD were limited.

Current guidance still recommends RSV vaccination for eligible adults with COPD because they have a higher risk of serious RSV illness.

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 treatment schedule, previous vaccinations, expected side effects, and other health needs. Ask your pulmonary or primary care team whether getting more than one vaccine at the same appointment is appropriate.