Brady Collins
As of 2025, COVID-19 vaccines are available in the United States, with three vaccines approved for use. In June 2021, 50% of US adults had been fully vaccinated, and by April 2025, 23% of adults and 13% of children had received the latest shot. The CDC recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults aged 18 and over, and parents of children aged 6 months to 17 years are advised to discuss the benefits of vaccination with healthcare providers. The FDA has advised manufacturers to develop vaccines that more closely match the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, with monovalent JN.1-lineage-based vaccines recommended for Fall 2025. While the US has achieved widespread vaccine availability, challenges remain, including emerging variants and evolving vaccine policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of vaccines available | 3 |
| Availability for foreign nationals | Yes |
| Availability for children | Yes, recommended for ages 6 months to 17 years |
| Availability for adults | Yes, recommended for ages 18 and older |
| Availability in pharmacies | Yes |
| Cost | Free |
| Type of vaccine | Monovalent JN.1-lineage-based COVID-19 vaccine |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccines in the US
COVID-19 vaccines first became available in the US in 2021, with President-elect Joe Biden receiving his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in December 2020, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris receiving her first Moderna dose later that month. The US surpassed 100 million administered doses by March 12, 2021, and by May 25, 50% of adults had been fully vaccinated.
By June 2021, the pace of vaccination had slowed due to the spread of the Delta variant. The White House responded by announcing additional private-sector partnerships to expand targeted outreach and vaccine availability. By June 2025, three vaccines were available for use in the US, with the CDC recommending the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults aged 18 and older. The 2024-2025 vaccine more closely targets the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant and provides improved protection against currently circulating strains.
In April 2025, only 23% of adults and 13% of children in the US had received the 2024-2025 vaccine. The FDA has advised manufacturers that COVID-19 vaccines for use in the US from fall 2025 onwards should be monovalent JN.1-lineage-based vaccines, using the LP.8.1 strain, to more closely match circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
Since the early days of the vaccine rollout, there have been concerns about vaccine availability and accessibility. In 2021, vaccination centres in some US states were accepting foreign passports as valid identification, leading to the rise of "vaccine tourism". In June 2025, there are concerns about reduced vaccine access due to measures announced by the Department of Health and Human Services, led by prominent anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
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Vaccination for immigrants
Vaccination requirements for immigrants seeking to enter the United States are determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP is a group of 15 experts on vaccination that provides guidance to the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The CDC assesses ACIP recommendations and determines which vaccines should be required for immigration purposes.
The CDC and ACIP require that immigrants receive vaccines to prevent certain diseases, including:
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal
- COVID-19 (as of October 1, 2021)
- Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) for residents or long-term visitors to countries with potential risk for international spread of WPV1, cVDPV1, cVDPV2, or cVDPV3
In addition to these, immigrants may also be required to receive any other vaccines recommended by the ACIP that are age-appropriate for the general U.S. population and protect against diseases that have been eliminated or are in the process of being eliminated in the United States.
To obtain an immigrant visa, applicants must undergo a medical examination and provide proof of having received the required vaccinations. Panel physicians who conduct these medical examinations are required to verify that immigrant visa applicants have met the vaccination requirements or that it is medically inappropriate for the applicant to receive the vaccine. If an applicant does not have proof of vaccination, the required vaccines must be administered at the time of the medical exam.
It is important to note that US-bound refugees are not required to receive vaccinations before their arrival in the United States. However, they may receive overseas vaccinations through the Vaccination Program for US-bound Refugees.
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Vaccine availability in pharmacies
COVID-19 vaccines are available across the United States, with the CDC recommending the 2024-2025 vaccine for most adults aged 18 and older. As of May 2021, 76% of eligible pharmacies provided COVID-19 vaccinations. However, there were disparities in the distribution of vaccines across US counties, with facilities in counties with a higher non-Hispanic Black population being less likely to serve as vaccine administration locations.
In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, pharmacies in the United States also offer other types of vaccines. For example, during a measles outbreak in West Texas, United Family pharmacies made MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccines available in-store at United Supermarkets, Amigos, and Market Street pharmacies across the state. No appointment was necessary, and guests could walk in to speak to a pharmacist and request the vaccine.
The availability of vaccines in pharmacies can vary by state and pharmacy chain, and it is always a good idea to check with your local pharmacy to confirm which vaccines they offer. Pharmacies can be an alternative to doctor's offices or traditional healthcare facilities for vaccine administration, offering convenient evening and weekend hours.
It is worth noting that, in some cases, pharmacies may not be the primary vaccine administration locations, especially if there are other dedicated vaccination centres nearby. However, pharmacies have played a significant role in vaccine distribution, and their accessibility and extended hours can help improve vaccine equity and convenience for individuals seeking vaccination.
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Vaccine tourism in the US
The US has been leading the world in the vaccination drive to control the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the leading country in the world for producing and distributing the maximum number of vaccines to its adult population. This has led to a new term, known as "vaccine tourism".
Vaccine tourism is when non-Americans travel to the US on visitor visas to get vaccinated. The US is prioritising vaccine distribution to elderly citizens and frontline workers, but vaccine tourism is driving many non-citizens to cross countries or state lines to jump the line and receive the vaccination. There are no US guidelines preventing vaccine tourism. However, there are also no guidelines ensuring that non-citizens will get the vaccine. Every state has its own guidelines for vaccine distribution, and some states are allowing non-citizens/visitors to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For example, the governor of Alaska announced that, as of June 1, 2021, any international visitor over the age of 12 could be vaccinated in Alaska, and vaccines would be available at airports for convenience.
Florida has been one of the most popular vaccine tourism destinations for domestic and international travellers due to the state's initial policy of vaccinating anyone over the age of 65. The state implemented new ID rules to direct more vaccines to Florida residents, but not before around 50,000 out-of-state recipients got a dose. The San Francisco International Airport is the first US airport to have released data on vaccine tourism, with 80% of new vaccine appointments being non-US citizens, and over 1,000 doses administered to visitors from 58 countries. The top five countries on this list are Taiwan, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, and Peru.
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CDC vaccine recommendations
The CDC has been making recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, with the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines targeting the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant. The CDC recommends this updated vaccine for most adults aged 18 and older. Parents of children aged 6 months to 17 years should discuss the benefits of vaccination with a healthcare provider.
The CDC also recommends that everyone, including infants, children, preteens, adults, and pregnant people, stay up to date with their whooping cough vaccines. For whooping cough, children under 7 years old receive DTaP, while older children and adults receive Tdap. The CDC also recommends two types of pneumococcal vaccines, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSVs), based on age and past pneumococcal vaccination history.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant people, receive an updated flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease by about 50%.
Additionally, the CDC recommends maternal RSV vaccination or infant immunization to prevent severe illness from RSV in infants and young children. Pregnant people are advised to receive an RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy during the RSV season, typically from September to January. If a child's mother does not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, the CDC recommends giving a preventive antibody, nirsevimab, to the newborn after birth.
The CDC publishes a range of resources to support the practice of public health and the provision of immunization services. These include recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which are the official federal guidelines for the use of vaccines in the United States. The CDC also provides information on vaccine storage and handling, vaccine contract prices, and educational materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, COVID-19 vaccines are available in all of the United States. As of June 2025, three vaccines are available for use.
Yes, there are different recommendations for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Parents of children aged 6 months to 17 years should discuss the benefits of vaccination with a healthcare provider.
COVID-19 vaccines were initially free, but as of 2025, the average person in the U.S. cannot count on getting a free annual shot. Insurance companies or providers are only required to pay for vaccines that are listed as recommended by the CDC.
