We’ve just entered flu season, which typically runs from September to March, and doctors recommend getting vaccinated within this time frame to protect against severe cases of the illness. The same goes for protecting against COVID and RSV.

If you need all three shots, can you get them at the same time in a one-and-done medical visit?

Yes. It’s perfectly safe to get all three shots at the same time, said Dr. David Wohl, infectious disease expert with UNC Health.

Most people only need to know if you can get a COVID and flu shot at the same time, and the answer is also yes. (Only a small portion of the population should be vaccinated against RSV.)

A common strategy is to get one vaccine per arm. If you were to have a localized response, you can identify which shot was the cause, UNC Health physician Dr. Anita Skariah previously said.

Who should get an RSV shot?

Only a small portion of the population should get an RSV vaccine.

• This small pool includes adults who are 60 and older who have compromised immune systems and/or heart problems who would be deeply impacted by a flu-like virus, Wohl said.

• Young children and pregnant women also can be candidates for RSV vaccines. Talk to your doctor to see if the RSV vaccine is right for you.

Note: RSV vaccines typically last two years, and they are not to be taken annually.

Which COVID shot should I get?

Wohl said it’s safe to get any of the three COVID vaccines, which are Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax. (The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is no longer available.)

“It doesn’t matter which of the three vaccines you get, as

long as you get one of them. We’re really talking about Coke and Pepsi here,” Wohl said.

All COVID vaccines protect against the latest strain of the virus, Wohl noted.

Which flu shot should I get?

Flu vaccines are widely available, and the vast majority of people can get the flu shot offered for free at their nearest pharmacy or at pop-up flu shot events. Some medical offices also offer a flu nasal spray vaccine, available for people ages 2 through 49. This may be a more popular option for children or others who don’t like needles.

The CDC says this option isn’t for everyone — such as pregnant women or children with asthma — so talk to your doctor to see if this may be a good option for you or your child.

When should I get vaccinated this fall?

Late September or early October. If you don’t have a big event coming up in which you’d need to get immediately vaccinated, you should schedule an appointment within the next few weeks to get the most updated COVID vaccine, Wohl said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the public to receive their vaccinations — COVID and flu shots (and RSV, if necessary) — by the end of October.

But if you miss that window, you can get your vaccines anytime in the fall and winter. It would be too late come springtime, when cold-weather surges likely will have passed.

Can you get free vaccines at pharmacies?

Yes, many pharmacies offer free flu shots.

A number of national pharmacies — such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart — offer them at no cost to the public. Many local neighborhood pharmacies offer free shots too.