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 may be especially important for some people with amyloidosis, because certain types of amyloidosis and some treatments can affect the immune system.

Amyloidosis is a group of conditions in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. In amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, abnormal plasma cells can reduce levels of antibodies, which help the body fight infections.

Some amyloidosis treatments can also weaken the immune system. In AL amyloidosis, treatments that target abnormal plasma cells may reduce the body’s antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination. People with amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis may receive medicines that lower immune activity or block inflammation to treat the underlying condition causing their amyloidosis.

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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 to them.

There isn’t one vaccine plan that’s right for everyone with amyloidosis. Your type of amyloidosis, 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:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

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 amyloidosis whose immune systems are weakened by their condition or treatment, vaccination may help lower the risk of serious respiratory illness.

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, meaning 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 amyloidosis receiving treatments that weaken the immune system, the timing of the flu vaccine may need to be coordinated with their treatment schedule.

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 amyloidosis who have weakened immune systems, the IDSA recommends RSV vaccination starting at age 18. RSV vaccination isn’t currently recommended 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 protect you.

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:

• Treatment plan
• Immune function
• Age
• Previous reactions
• Other health conditions

The right vaccine and timing can vary for people with amyloidosis. In AL amyloidosis, abnormal plasma cells can reduce levels of antibodies that help the body fight infections, and treatments targeting these cells can also weaken the body’s response to vaccines.

This doesn’t apply to every type of amyloidosis. In a small study, people with wild-type transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, most of whom were taking tafamidis, had similar antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination to people of the same age and sex without amyloidosis.

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:

• Which type of amyloidosis you have and which treatments you’re receiving
• How your condition or treatment affects immune function and whether your response to vaccination may be reduced
• Whether you’ve had a stem cell transplant, which can affect when you should be vaccinated or revaccinated
• Your age, other health conditions, and previous vaccination history
• Which vaccines and doses you’ve already received, including whether an additional COVID-19 dose may be appropriate

Some vaccine types may not be appropriate for people whose immune systems are weakened by amyloidosis or its treatment. For example, the nasal spray flu vaccine is a live vaccine and shouldn’t be used in people who are immunocompromised.

Timing Around Treatments

In studies of people with AL amyloidosis, those receiving treatment targeting abnormal plasma cells had lower antibody levels after COVID-19 vaccination than those not receiving treatment. People who had received treatment within the previous three months were also more likely to have no detectable antibody response.

In a small review of people with AA amyloidosis who were receiving dialysis, some infections were reported during treatment with biologic medicines.

Your amyloidosis care team can help you decide when to get vaccinated based on your type of amyloidosis, treatment, and immune health. Don’t delay, skip, or change your amyloidosis 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.

Research in AL amyloidosis found that many people developed antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination, including some receiving treatment that targets abnormal plasma cells.

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 amyloidosis care team whether getting more than one vaccine at the same appointment is appropriate for you.

7 Questions To Ask Your Amyloidosis Care Team About Seasonal Vaccines

1. Which flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines do you recommend for me?
2. Does my type of amyloidosis or current treatment affect which vaccines I should receive?
3. Is there a best time to get vaccinated within my treatment schedule?
4. Do I need an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose?
5. Should I receive an RSV vaccine this season?
6. Can I receive more than one vaccine at the same appointment?
7. Does a previous stem cell transplant or treatment that affects my immune system change my vaccine schedule?