PITTSBURGH, PA — Pennsylvania health officials urged residents Monday to obtain updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines as respiratory virus season begins, pointing to more than 14,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 598 related deaths in the state during the previous season.
Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen and Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh visited Hilltop Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, where both received updated COVID-19 vaccines as the Shapiro administration promoted access to immunizations.
The COVID-19 and flu vaccines have been updated to address virus variants currently circulating in Pennsylvania and nationally. Health care providers recommend both vaccines for people six months and older, with vaccination particularly important for people 65 and older, those with certain medical conditions and others at greater risk of complications from respiratory illnesses.
“Vaccinations remain an essential way to protect ourselves and our neighbors,” Bogen said. “As we approach respiratory virus season, Pennsylvanians can boost their body’s defenses by getting their age-appropriate COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccinations.”
Most insured Pennsylvanians can obtain updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines without out-of-pocket costs. Uninsured or underinsured residents can obtain vaccines through State Health Centers, county and municipal health departments and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program also cover COVID-19 and flu vaccinations without out-of-pocket costs. About 3 million Pennsylvanians, or roughly one-quarter of the state’s population, receive health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.
“Pennsylvanians should talk with knowledgeable professionals like their doctor or the experts at their local pharmacy if they have questions about the COVID vaccine and other vaccines they might benefit from this season,” Arkoosh said.
Children enrolled in Medicaid, as well as those who are uninsured or underinsured, can receive routine childhood immunizations at no cost through providers participating in the federal Vaccines for Children Program and at State Health Centers.
The state’s vaccination push follows an executive order signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro establishing a state-based vaccine safety net for children, directing state agencies to align policies with medical experts and creating a Vaccine Education Workgroup.
Preliminary state data for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season show 13,175 Pennsylvania adults and 1,209 children were hospitalized with COVID-19. Pennsylvania also recorded 598 COVID-19-related deaths during the period.
Health officials recommend that people at greater risk of serious illness because of their age or health status seek medical care and testing early if symptoms develop. Antiviral medications are available for both influenza and COVID-19 and can reduce the risk of serious outcomes when treatment begins early.
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