ConvenientMD Primary Care Offers Guidance on Seasonal Vaccines
October 29, 2026
PORTSMOUTH, NH – As temperatures drop, ConvenientMD Primary Care providers advise patients to stay up to date on essential seasonal immunizations, including the 2026 flu, COVID, pneumococcal and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines. Respiratory illnesses typically spike in the winter months so securing these routine shots as soon as possible will ensure critical protection against severe illnesses and prevent community spread.
“Even if you are healthy and have a strong immune system, making sure you receive updated seasonal immunizations each year is still extremely important because viruses mutate over time and your immunity declines,” said ConvenientMD Primary Care provider Beth Remillong, MD. “Getting vaccinated and slowing the spread of seasonal illnesses is also crucial in protecting high-risk groups, including individuals with pre-existing health conditions, young children and the elderly.”
The most common seasonal vaccines include:
Flu vaccine
Influenza is an extremely contagious virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms can be mild with cold-like side effects, such as fever, aches, chills, sore throat and a runny nose, but it can potentially be deadly, depending on the severity of the virus.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
ConvenientMD providers recommend people six months or older receive the most up-to-date flu vaccine each year, which can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as COVID and RSV.
COVID vaccine
Much like the annual flu shot, the COVID-19 vaccine has become a regular part of the fall vaccination season since the pandemic. There are several different types of COVID vaccines that work in different ways with your immune system to prevent the spread of the virus. Your primary care provider can recommend which version is best for you based on your age and medical history to ensure you receive the most appropriate and effective vaccine.
Who should get the COVID vaccine?
A single dose of the COVID vaccine can be safely given to anyone who is 6 months or older. Those who are at a higher risk for serious illness or who are immunocompromised may also require a second booster dose approximately six months after the initial vaccine, including anyone who is over age 65, anyone 2 years and older who have weakened immune systems, pregnant, and those who have chronic conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccines work to prevent against pneumococcal infections, such as pneumonia, ear, sinus and blood infections. Pneumococcal infections can be life-threatening, especially to infants, children, people over 50 years of age, those with chronic lung, heart or kidney disease, those who smoke and people with weakened immune systems.
Individuals who have previously had other pneumonia vaccines should discuss with their primary care provider whether another vaccine is needed based on the type and timing of previous vaccines.
Who should get the pneumococcal vaccine?
A one-time dose of the vaccine is recommended for people 50 years and older and anyone who is younger than 50 who is at a high risk for a respiratory illness.
RSV vaccine
RSV causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract. In severe cases, RSV can spread to the lower respiratory tract and cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
Who should get the RSV vaccine?
A single dose of the RSV vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years and older, as well as those aged 50-74 years with certain health risks, such as:
- Chronic kidney, liver, lung or heart disease
- Neurologic, neuromuscular or hematologic conditions
- Obesity, diabetes, frailty or residence in a nursing home or long-term care facility
ConvenientMD Primary Care providers recommend scheduling these vaccinations by late October to ensure optimal immunity ahead of the peak winter season. This can also be an ideal time to discuss updating other routine vaccines with your provider, such as the shingles and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines.
“Having a primary care provider you know and trust is an important part of staying healthy,” said Dr. Remillong. “They are an important resource who can answer questions and provide recommendations to keep you and those around you safe, healthy and protected.”
All primary care providers are accepting new patients at ConvenientMD Primary Care locations in Bangor and Portland, Maine, and Manchester and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. To learn more about ConvenientMD Primary Care’s offerings and providers, or to sign up to be a patient, please visit convenientmd.com/primary-care.
Caption: ConvenientMD Primary Care provider Beth Remillong, MD, provides guidance for how to determine which vaccines are necessary for individuals to stay healthy, protected and prevent the spread of disease.
ConvenientMD Primary Care is transforming how patients experience primary and preventive care. Launched in 2022, ConvenientMD Primary Care is designed to be more accessible, supportive, and affordable, offering a modern approach centered on prevention, personal health goals, and long‑term wellness. ConvenientMD also operates 51 urgent care clinics across New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, making high‑quality, convenient care available when patients need it most. Its urgent care centers deliver fast, affordable treatment for minor illnesses and injuries and provide an advanced array of services, including X‑rays, labs, occupational health, and virtual care.
Together, ConvenientMD Primary Care and ConvenientMD Urgent Care advance the organization’s mission to make good health more convenient for all.
