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Why Vaccines Are Especially Important If You Have Asthma or Allergies

Why Vaccines Are Especially Important If You Have Asthma or Allergies
Why Vaccines Are Especially Important If You Have Asthma or Allergies

If you or your child has asthma or allergies, certain infections can lead to more serious problems. Viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV can trigger asthma attacks, make it harder to breathe, and lead to ER visits or hospital stays.

More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma—including about 4.5 million children. According to the CDC, nearly 4 in 10 children with asthma had at least one urgent care or ER visit in the past year.

Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your health. They help prevent infections that can make asthma worse or cause serious illness.

Keep reading to learn which vaccines are recommended, how they work, and how an allergist-immunologist can help you make the best plan.

Why are people with asthma or allergies more at risk from respiratory infections?

  • Their airways are more sensitive. Infections like the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 can inflame your lungs and quickly trigger asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
  • Infections are a top trigger for flares. Viruses and bacteria are major causes of asthma attacks, ER visits, and hospital stays—especially in children and older adults.
  • Their immune system may overreact to infections. In people with asthma, the immune response to viruses can trigger extra inflammation in the airways. This can make symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath worse—and harder to control.
  • They’re more likely to get seriously ill. Even a mild cold or virus can lead to more severe complications in people with asthma.

Vaccines can help by preparing the immune system to fight off infections before they become serious – reducing the risk of asthma flares and other health problems.

Which vaccines help protect people with asthma and allergies?

Certain vaccines can help prevent serious infections that make asthma worse. The vaccines below offer important protection:

  • Flu (Influenza) Vaccine
    The flu is a top trigger for asthma attacks and can cause problems like pneumonia and bronchitis. Every year, it leads to thousands of deaths and hospital stays in the U.S.—especially in young kids, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions. Getting a flu shot each year is the best way to protect yourself. A 2023 study found flu vaccines helped lower hospital visits for people with asthma. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend a flu shot every year for everyone 6 months and older. For people with asthma, the flu shot (inactivated vaccine) is usually safer than the nasal spray.

Worried about egg allergy? People with egg allergy can receive any age-appropriate flu vaccine. For more details, see our companion article on vaccine safety for people with asthma and allergies.

  • COVID-19 Vaccine
    COVID-19 is a contagious virus that can cause breathing trouble, especially in people with asthma or lung issues. Vaccination lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and long-term symptoms. CDC and AAP update recommendations regularly. Check the latest guidance with your allergist.
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine and Antibodies
    RSV can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia and can make asthma symptoms worse.

    • Adults: CDC recommends one dose of an RSV vaccine for all adults 75+ and for adults 50-74 at increased risk (including many with chronic lung disease like asthma). RSV vaccine isn’t an annual vaccine currently.
    • Pregnancy: A maternal RSV vaccine (given 32-36 weeks in most U.S. regions during RSV season) helps protect newborns.
    • Infants/young children: Most babies should be protected either by the maternal vaccine or by a long-acting RSV antibody treatment (e.g., nirsevimab). Some children 8-19 months at higher risk may also qualify before their second RSV season. Your pediatrician will guide which option applies.
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
    The Tdap vaccine protects against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis). Pertussis causes strong coughing fits that can trigger asthma symptoms and become dangerous. Tdap is recommended around age 11 or 12, during each pregnancy, and for adults who haven’t had a dose yet. Adults should then get a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years.
  • Pneumococcal Vaccine
    Pneumococcal disease can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and serious blood infections. These illnesses can be worse for people with asthma. There are different types of pneumococcal vaccines, and the right one depends on your age, health conditions, and what you’ve had before. Many adults get one of the newer conjugate vaccines (such as PCV20 or PCV21); others may get PCV15 followed by PPSV23. Ask your doctor which option fits your situation.
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects against three serious viral diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles can lead to severe lung infections, worsen asthma symptoms, and temporarily weaken the immune system—sometimes increasing the risk of other illnesses. The MMR vaccine is safe for people with asthma or allergies and is recommended for all children, with the first dose around age 1 and a second before starting school. Adults who aren’t fully vaccinated should catch up to stay protected.

As of August 27, 2025, CDC has confirmed 1,408 measles cases across 43 jurisdictions—the largest year since 1992. For the newest numbers, see CDC’s measles data page.

These vaccines help reduce the impact of respiratory infections that often make asthma worse. Staying up to date on immunizations is a powerful way to prevent illness and protect both individual and public health.

Do people with asthma or allergies need a different vaccine schedule?

Usually, no. Most people with asthma or allergies follow the standard CDC/AAP vaccine schedules as everyone else. Your allergist might adjust the timing (for example, around a flare or before starting a biologic). CDC and AAP update recommendations regularly; use the links below for the latest schedules and make a plan with your doctor.

To view the latest vaccine schedules:

How do vaccines protect others in the community?

Vaccines don’t just protect you—they help protect others in your community, too. When enough people are vaccinated, it limits the spread of diseases. This helps safeguard:

  • Babies who are too young to be vaccinated
  • Older adults, who are more vulnerable to serious infections
  • People with certain health conditions that affect their immune system

By staying up to date on your vaccines, you’re helping reduce the risk of illness for those who rely on community protection to stay healthy.

Have questions about vaccines? Talk with an allergist/immunologist

All allergists in the U.S. are also trained in immunology. Board-certified allergists/immunologists are specially trained to understand how the immune system works—and how vaccines play a role in protecting your health.

If you have questions about asthma triggers, allergy medications, or how to time vaccines around treatment, an allergist/immunologist can help. They offer personalized, science-based guidance to make sure you get the protection you need.

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Originally posted September 15, 2025.