Flu Season: Why Truck Drivers Should Get Vaccinated

As fall arrives in the United States, the countdown to flu season begins. For people who spend much of their lives on the road, getting sick does not simply mean a few days with a fever: it can mean missed driving days, delayed deliveries, and several days trying to recover while far from home.

That is why September and October are important months for prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination for the 2026–2027 season for everyone 6 months and older who does not have a contraindication. For most people who need only one dose, September and October are considered good times to get vaccinated.

That includes truck drivers. Being a truck driver does not, by itself, place someone in a high-risk category according to the CDC. However, many drivers may fall into categories that carry a higher risk of developing flu complications because of their age or preexisting health conditions.

Why the Flu Matters When You Work on the Road

Influenza can come on suddenly. Fever, chills, muscle aches, severe fatigue, headaches, coughing, and congestion can quickly turn a normal workday into a situation that makes spending hours behind the wheel impossible.

For professional drivers, there is also a practical consideration: the truck is their workplace and, for many long-haul drivers, it is also where they spend much of their off-duty time. Getting sick hundreds or even thousands of miles from home can make a situation that might otherwise mean simply staying home for a few days considerably more complicated.

Vaccination does not guarantee that someone will not get the flu, but it can reduce the risk of illness and serious complications. The CDC explains the benefits of flu vaccination, noting that flu vaccines prevent millions of illnesses and medical visits and can reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

It is also important to consider how long it takes the body to build protection. The agency explains that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop antibodies that help protect against influenza. That is one reason health officials recommend not waiting until flu season is already in full swing.

A New Flu Vaccine Enters the Picture

The 2026–2027 season also brings an important development. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved MFLUSIVA in August, developed by Moderna, making it the first mRNA influenza vaccine authorized in the United States.

The vaccine is indicated for people age 50 and older. The FDA granted traditional approval for adults ages 50 to 64 and accelerated approval for people age 65 and older.

The technology became widely known through its use in COVID-19 vaccines, but it is now being applied specifically to influenza.

The FDA’s decision was supported, among other data, by a Phase 3 trial involving 40,805 adults age 50 and older. According to the agency’s review, MFLUSIVA demonstrated 26.6% higher relative efficacy compared with a standard-dose influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza-like illness.

That does not mean every truck driver should specifically receive this vaccine. MFLUSIVA is one of the available options and is authorized only for people age 50 and older. Choosing the appropriate flu vaccine depends on factors such as age, medical history, and potential contraindications.

Are Truck Drivers a High-Risk Group?

Not because of their profession. The CDC does not classify truck drivers as a high-risk group simply because they work in transportation.

However, age and certain health conditions can increase the risk of developing serious complications. The groups the CDC identifies as being at higher risk include older adults and people with certain chronic illnesses, heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, weakened immune systems, and severe obesity.

This makes it especially important for each driver to consider their individual circumstances and consult a healthcare professional if they have questions about which vaccine is appropriate for them.

The vaccines being used this season are also not exactly the same as last year’s. For 2026–2027, all three viral components of U.S. influenza vaccines were updated, including the A(H3N2) component, to better match the viruses expected to circulate during the new season.

September and October: Time to Prepare

Last season showed why the flu should not be dismissed as simply a bad cold. Estimates cited for the United States point to approximately 32 million illnesses and 24,000 influenza-related deaths.

For a truck driver, several days of illness can also mean several days without working. And when the job involves crossing state lines and spending long periods away from home, preventing a respiratory illness takes on added importance.

The CDC recommends annual vaccination because immune protection declines over time and influenza viruses change. For that reason, the composition of flu vaccines is reviewed and updated for each new season.

The general recommendation is simple: do not wait until winter arrives to start thinking about the flu. September and October provide a good window to get vaccinated and give the body time to develop protection before the months when influenza activity typically increases.

For those who make their living behind the wheel, preparing for winter is not only about checking tires, chains, brakes, or weather conditions along the next route. A driver’s health is part of the journey, too.