Rhode Island is urging residents to plan now for fall flu, COVID-19 and RSV protection, with no-cost community vaccination clinics scheduled to begin in October. The Rhode Island Department of Health issued its 2026-27 respiratory-virus recommendations on September 16, saying infections are expected to rise as colder weather brings more indoor contact.
The most immediate guidance is broad: everyone 6 months and older should receive an annual influenza vaccine. RIDOH especially emphasized vaccination for older adults, young children, people with underlying conditions and health care workers, and said vaccination during pregnancy helps protect both the pregnant person and the baby.
COVID-19 recommendations are more age- and risk-specific. RIDOH recommends an annual dose for children ages 6 months through 2 years, adults 19 and older, pregnant people and people who are immunocompromised. Children ages 2 through 18 who have a higher risk of severe illness should also be vaccinated; other families in that age range can decide with a clinician. Adults 65 and older should receive a second dose six months after the first, according to the state guidance.
Those recommendations align with the American Medical Association's 2026-27 respiratory-virus schedule, which recommends a one-time RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older and for adults 50 through 74 who face increased risk. It also recommends maternal RSV vaccination during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy from September 1 through March 1, or infant protection when a maternal dose was not given. The Northeast Public Health Collaborative, representing 16 public health agencies, endorsed the medical-association recommendations.
Where Rhode Islanders can get vaccinated
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available through pharmacies, primary-care practices and community health centers. RIDOH says its school and community clinics begin in October, generally in late afternoons or evenings, and are open to people age 3 and older from the surrounding community—not only students. The clinics charge no out-of-pocket cost and do not require insurance, though preregistration is recommended because walk-in capacity is limited. Flu and COVID-19 shots can be given during the same visit.
RSV vaccination is generally available at pharmacies for eligible older adults and pregnant people. Parents seeking infant protection should consult a pediatric provider. Because recommendations vary by age, pregnancy status and medical risk, residents should confirm timing with a clinician or pharmacist rather than assuming every product is appropriate for every patient.
The state reported substantial illness last season: 861 influenza hospitalizations and 54 flu deaths, along with 679 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 31 COVID-19 deaths. Vaccination does not eliminate all infections, but RIDOH says it lowers the risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
RIDOH also advises anyone with respiratory symptoms to stay home until symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours and any fever has been gone for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. For the next five days, added precautions—such as masking, distancing and improved ventilation—can reduce the chance of spreading illness.
