Healthy Living Monthly Newsletter

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

• Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year (except in rare cases).
• Not sure if you should get it? Ask your healthcare provider.
• There are different kinds of flu vaccines. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you choose the best one for you.

What’s New This Flu Season?

• FluMist (nasal spray): Approved for self- or caregiver use starting this season.
• Flublok (protein-based shot): Now approved for ages 9 and older (previously for ages 18+).
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated vaccine ingredients in March 2025 to better match flu strains for this season.

Getting Your Flu Shot at Low or No Cost

For Children (under 18):

• If your child has insurance, most plans cover the flu shot for free.
• If your child does not have insurance, they may qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which offers free flu shots if they are:
  • Medicaid-eligible
  • Uninsured
  • Underinsured
  • American Indian or Alaska Native

For Adults:

• If you have insurance, most plans cover the flu shot for free.
• If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able to get a free or low-cost flu shot at:
  • Pharmacies
  • Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) supported health centers
  • Your local health department
  • Community clinics, schools, or events
  • Your doctor’s office (sometimes an office visit or small administration fee may apply)

Flu Protection Made Easy, FluMist Delivery to Your Home

• FluMist is a nasal spray flu vaccine for ages 2–49 years.
• Starting in 2025–2026, FluMist can be given by:
  • Self-administration (if you are 18–49 years old)
  • Caregiver administration (if you are 18+ giving it to someone ages 2–17)

At-home delivery makes it easier to protect yourself, especially if getting to a doctor’s office or pharmacy is difficult.

• Go to FluMist.com.
• Answer a short health questionnaire to see if FluMist is right for you.
• A healthcare provider will review your answers and let you know if you qualify.
• If approved, you can choose a delivery date and FluMist will be shipped to your home.

If you’re not ready for at home delivery or administration, FluMist is available at pharmacies and healthcare providers.

Bottom Line: The flu shot is safe, effective, and may be free. Protect yourself and your community—make a plan to get your flu vaccine this season!

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control, 2025–2026 Flu Season

Ordering & Using FluMist at Home

Through this work, Able SC is transforming nursing education and healthcare delivery by putting disabled voices and expertise at the center, increasing representation, and promoting equity for both patients and their providers.

This project is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Administration for Community Living.

Deep Dive: The "October Slide", Why Fall Can Trigger Chronic Illness Symptoms

As fall arrives, many people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities notice their symptoms getting worse. This seasonal flare-up, often called the “October Slide” or the “Fall Slide,” isn’t a medical diagnosis, but it describes increases in fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, joint pain, and other symptoms that often happen as summer turns to fall. If you experience this slide each fall, you are not alone—you’re not imagining it, and it may be possible to manage your symptoms with a bit of knowledge and preparation. Maybe you know a family member, friend, or co-worker who experiences the Fall Slide. We hope this information helps you understand why it happens and gives you tools to offer support and understanding.

Why Symptoms Worsen in the Fall

Several changes that come with cooler weather can contribute to the October Slide:

• Lower Vitamin D Levels: Shorter days and less sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency. Low vitamin D is linked to fatigue, muscle pain, dizziness, brain fog, and even changes in mood, such as depression and anxiety.
• Barometric Pressure Drops: Falling air pressure in cooler, wetter months can cause tissue swelling, joint stiffness, and muscle aches.
• Seasonal Allergies: Ragweed, mold, and dust mites peak in the fall and can worsen respiratory symptoms and inflammation.
• Cold and Flu Season: Viral infections can place extra stress on the immune system, making chronic illness symptoms harder to manage.
• Reduced Physical Activity: Shorter days and colder weather often mean less exercise, which can increase stiffness, pain, and fatigue.
• Increased Stress: The return of school and work routines in the fall can elevate stress, which may worsen conditions like fibromyalgia, dysautonomia, or autoimmune diseases.

Conditions Often Affected

The October Slide may affect a wide range of chronic illnesses and disabilities, including:

• Fibromyalgia
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
• Long COVID
• Rheumatic diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
• Autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis or inflammatory bowel diseases

Strategies to Manage the October Slide

While the October Slide can feel overwhelming, there are steps that may reduce its impact:

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: Be open about your changing symptoms. Providers may recommend medication adjustments, testing vitamin D levels, or other treatment changes.
2. Support Vitamin D Intake: Incorporate vitamin D–rich foods such as fortified dairy, salmon, or eggs, and ask your healthcare provider about supplements.
3. Stay Active: Gentle movements like walking, yoga, or stretching can help prevent stiffness and support strength.
4. Track Weather Changes: Apps that monitor barometric pressure may help you prepare for flare-ups by planning rest or using pain-relief strategies.
5. Prevent Illness: Stay up to date on recommended vaccines, wash hands often, and practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of colds, flu, and COVID-19.
6. Manage Stress: Relaxation techniques like meditation, journaling, or deep breathing can help lower stress levels that worsen symptoms.
7. Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water supports energy, circulation, and symptom management.
8. Adjust your schedule: Talk with your employer or teachers about creating a more flexible schedule that works with your changing symptoms.

The October Slide is a common challenge for people with chronic illnesses, and you are not alone if you experience it. By understanding the seasonal changes that affect your health and preparing with simple strategies to support both your body and mind, you can ease symptoms and make the fall months more comfortable.

Sources:

• Discover, 15 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
• Falling Back: BPPV and Relapse of Vertiginous Symptoms in the Fall Season
• The October Slide: Managing Symptom Flare-Ups in the Fall
• What Can You Do to Prevent the October Slide?

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