Sarah Bennett
As of September 2025, the COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing for five years. While vaccines have been developed and distributed, the virus continues to mutate, with new variants emerging. The latest vaccines have been updated to target these new variants, but access to them is restricted. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has imposed limitations on who can receive the shots, prioritising those at high risk of severe illness, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. This has caused confusion and concern among the public and health experts, who emphasise the importance of vaccination in preventing severe illness and slowing the spread of the virus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability | The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA, but with new restrictions on eligibility. |
| Effectiveness | The updated vaccines are reformulated to more closely match circulating strains and provide protection against multiple variants, including XFG (Stratus) and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus). |
| Eligibility | Currently limited to "high-risk" individuals, including people over 65, pregnant women, and those with certain underlying conditions. |
| Recommendations | The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will issue recommendations that may impact access and insurance coverage. |
| Protection Duration | The updated COVID vaccines should provide protection lasting up to four to six months. |
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What You'll Learn
Vaccine eligibility restrictions
The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA, but with new restrictions on who is eligible to receive the shots. These eligibility restrictions have sparked confusion among the public and concern from health experts, who emphasize the importance of protecting against respiratory viruses like COVID-19.
Approval is currently limited to "high-risk" individuals, including people aged 65 and above, and those with certain underlying conditions. The specific underlying conditions that qualify for vaccine eligibility have not been specified by the FDA, but the CDC provides a list of conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 on its website.
The eligibility restrictions have resulted in pharmacies in over a dozen states requiring a prescription to administer the vaccine, while three states are not offering COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies at all until further recommendations are issued by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
The restrictions have also led to concerns from pharmacists about their role and potential legal repercussions in an era of increasing vaccine limitations. The conflicting guidance from federal agencies and medical groups has contributed to the uncertainty surrounding vaccine eligibility.
It is important to note that the eligibility restrictions may vary across different states and locations, and individuals should refer to the latest official guidelines to determine their eligibility for the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines.
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Vaccine availability
The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA, but with new restrictions on who is eligible to receive them. The updated monovalent vaccines will target LP.8.1, a subvariant of the omicron JN.1 lineage, based on guidance from the FDA. The Moderna and Pfizer shots are mRNA vaccines, while Novavax is the only protein-based, non-mRNA COVID vaccine available in the US. Novavax is formulated to target the JN.1 variant.
Approval is currently limited to "high-risk" individuals, including people over the age of 65 and those with certain underlying conditions. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that all adults aged 18 and older, children, and pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a shift from the government's narrowed vaccine policies, which have caused confusion about who can get the shot and how to get it.
Some large pharmacies already have the new versions of the COVID-19 and flu vaccines in stock, while others will be receiving them soon. Vaccine manufacturers have continued shipping despite actions from federal officials. Experts recommend reaching out to your doctor in the next month or two to get vaccinated if you are able to.
The updated COVID vaccines should provide protection for up to four to six months. While it is too soon to tell exactly how effective the new shots are, experts emphasize that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself.
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Effectiveness against new variants
The COVID-19 vaccines for 2025–2026 have been reformulated to more closely match currently circulating strains and their descendants, including the XFG (Stratus) variant, which is the dominant strain. The updated monovalent vaccines will target LP.8.1, a subvariant of the omicron JN.1 lineage. Novavax is formulated to target the JN.1 variant.
Studies from Moderna and Pfizer show that the LP.8.1 vaccines generate a stronger immune response than earlier shots, which target JN.1 and KP.2. Pfizer has also stated that its vaccine protects against multiple circulating variants, including XFG (Stratus), NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), and other emerging strains. Novavax has confirmed that its vaccine induces immunity against the JN.1 lineage.
The updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to provide protection for up to four to six months. While the vaccines do not guarantee that an individual will not contract COVID-19, they significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
It is important to note that the availability of the updated vaccines may be limited to specific groups, such as high-risk or older individuals, in certain states or countries. The eligibility criteria and recommendations for vaccination may vary based on local guidelines and the advice of health organizations.
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Vaccine hesitancy
The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA, but with new restrictions on who is eligible to receive them. The updated monovalent vaccines target the LP.8.1 subvariant of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, and studies show that they generate a stronger immune response than earlier shots.
Amid conflicting vaccination guidance, there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty about who can get the vaccine and how to get it. This uncertainty, along with changes to vaccine guidelines, has contributed to vaccine hesitancy.
Another factor contributing to vaccine hesitancy is the concern over the presence of certain ingredients, such as formaldehyde, in vaccines. While residual formaldehyde is present in very small amounts, it is far below harmful levels and is naturally produced and broken down by the human body.
The impact of vaccine hesitancy can be seen in the decreasing immunization rates for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), leaving more people vulnerable to these illnesses. The demand for unvaccinated blood donors during the COVID-19 pandemic further highlights the influence of misinformation.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy requires providing credible information about vaccine safety and effectiveness, countering misinformation, and ensuring consistent and transparent vaccination guidelines.
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Vaccination recommendations
Currently, the focus is on vaccinating high-risk individuals, including people aged 65 and above and those with specific underlying health conditions. This aligns with the recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has restricted the latest COVID-19 vaccine shots to this high-risk category. The CDC has also updated its guidelines, dropping the routine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant women to receive vaccination.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which plays a crucial role in shaping national immunization schedules and insurance coverage, is expected to release its recommendations for the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine soon. Their guidance will provide further clarity to pharmacists and influence vaccine accessibility in various states.
Amidst the changing landscape of vaccine recommendations, experts emphasize the continued importance of vaccination in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The updated COVID-19 vaccines are designed to target specific variants, such as LP.8.1, a subvariant of the Omicron JN.1 lineage. These vaccines are expected to provide protection for up to four to six months.
Additionally, it is worth noting that vaccine availability and accessibility may vary across different states and pharmacies. While some pharmacies already have the new COVID-19 vaccines in stock, others may receive them in the coming days. Individuals seeking vaccination are advised to consult their doctors or local pharmacies for the most up-to-date information on vaccine availability and eligibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines have been reformulated to more closely match the currently circulating variants. The vaccines are expected to provide protection against multiple variants, including XFG (Stratus), NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), and other emerging strains.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines but has placed new restrictions on eligibility. Currently, the vaccines are limited to individuals at high risk of COVID-19 complications, including those over 65 and people with certain underlying health conditions.
The updated COVID-19 vaccines are available at select pharmacies and doctors' offices across the country. You may need a prescription from your doctor to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy, depending on your state's regulations.
The decision depends on your individual circumstances and the availability of the new vaccine. Last year's vaccine dose may still offer good cross-protection against the current variants. However, the updated vaccine is tailored to fight the newest variants and may provide better protection.
