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 important for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH), whose heart and lungs may be especially affected by respiratory infections.

Respiratory infections can put extra strain on the heart and lungs. For people with PH, vaccination against flu, COVID-19, and RSV can be an important part of protecting their health.

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

There isn’t one vaccine plan that’s right for everyone with PH. 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 PH, vaccination decisions should take into account factors such as:

• Age
• Underlying heart or lung conditions
• 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.

The IDSA recommends that people with weakened immune systems discuss receiving a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine two to six months after the first dose.

Flu Vaccines

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

Most people need one flu vaccine dose each season. Some children may need a second dose based on their age, vaccination history, or individual health circumstances. For people with PH, the American Heart Association identifies flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as important options to discuss with their healthcare team.

People who are immunocompromised shouldn’t receive the live-attenuated nasal flu vaccine FluMist, per guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and IDSA.

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 PH, chronic heart or lung disease can be a factor in RSV vaccine eligibility, particularly for adults ages 50 through 74. PH by itself does not mean someone qualifies for RSV vaccination before age 50. 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 PH. PH affects the blood vessels in the lungs and can put extra strain on the heart. PH itself does not necessarily mean a person has a weakened immune system.

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 for people with certain other conditions. For example, the nasal spray flu vaccine is a live vaccine and should not be used in people with weakened immune systems. PH alone is not a reason to assume someone is immunocompromised.

Timing Around Treatments

Timing may also matter. For most people with PH, the timing of COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccination depends more on age, vaccination history, other health conditions, and individual care needs than on PH treatment itself.

Heart and lung specialists recommend COVID-19 and flu vaccination for people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a type of PH that affects the small arteries in the lungs. The CDC recommends RSV vaccination for adults age 75 and older and for eligible adults ages 50 through 74 at increased risk of severe RSV illness, including those with certain chronic heart or lung conditions.

Your PH healthcare team can help you decide which vaccines are appropriate and when to receive them. Don’t delay, skip, or change PH treatment to get vaccinated unless your healthcare team recommends it.

People with weakened immune systems may not develop as strong a response to vaccines as people with healthy immune systems. 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 health conditions, previous vaccinations, expected side effects, and other health needs. Ask your PH healthcare team whether getting more than one vaccine at the same appointment is appropriate.