CDC’s 2025–2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Who Should Get It and What It Means for You

The short version: For the 2025–2026 season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an updated COVID-19 vaccine for most people ages 6 months and older. Adults 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need additional doses. The main goal remains preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death—not necessarily mild infections.

Here’s what changed, who should prioritize vaccination, and what it means for your family.

What the CDC Recommends for 2025–2026

In guidance published through its Interim Clinical Considerations and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in MMWR, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the updated 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have a specific medical contraindication.

This is a seasonal update, similar in concept to the annual flu shot. The vaccine formulation was updated after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed circulating variants and manufacturing data to select a strain target designed to better match currently circulating viruses.

The CDC emphasizes that protection against severe disease—hospitalization and death—remains the primary goal. Protection against infection can occur, but it is typically lower and tends to wane over time.

Who Should Make It a Priority

Adults 65 and Older

Adults 65 and older continue to face the highest risk of COVID-19–related hospitalization and death. For this age group, ACIP recommends:

An updated 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine dose.
In many cases, an additional dose at least four months later, depending on timing and health status.

This approach reflects evidence from prior seasons showing that immunity against severe outcomes improves after boosting in older adults, especially during respiratory virus season.

Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities

People living in nursing homes and other long-term care settings are at increased risk because of age, chronic conditions, and close living quarters. Updated vaccination is strongly encouraged in these settings.

People Who Are Immunocompromised

Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised—such as people receiving chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or those on certain immune-suppressing medications—may require:

An updated seasonal dose.
One or more additional doses, spaced according to CDC guidance.

Because immune responses may be weaker in this group, the CDC allows flexibility for additional dosing after consultation with a healthcare provider.

People with Chronic Medical Conditions

Adults and children with heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, or other chronic conditions should strongly consider staying up to date. These conditions increase the risk of complications from COVID-19.

Guidance for Children and Teens

Children 6 months and older are eligible for the updated vaccine, with dosing depending on age and prior vaccination history.

Children 6 months to 4 years: May need multiple doses depending on whether they previously completed a COVID-19 vaccine series and which product they received. Product consistency is important in this age group.
Children 5 years and older: Generally receive a single updated dose if previously vaccinated.
Unvaccinated children: May require a multi-dose primary series using the updated formulation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports CDC recommendations and encourages routine vaccination to reduce severe illness, school absences, and complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

Parents should confirm product type and dosing schedule with their pediatrician or pharmacist.

What Changed From the 2024–2025 Season

The biggest change is the updated strain target in the 2025–2026 formulation, selected by the FDA based on surveillance data and manufacturing feasibility.

Other key updates include:

Refined recommendations for additional doses in adults 65+.
Clarified flexibility for immunocompromised individuals.
Continued emphasis on seasonal timing similar to influenza vaccination.

As in previous seasons, recommendations may evolve if variants shift significantly or if new effectiveness data emerge.

How the FDA Updated the Vaccine—and What Evidence Was Reviewed

The FDA reviews multiple sources of evidence before authorizing or approving updated COVID-19 vaccines, including:

Immunogenicity data (how well the vaccine generates neutralizing antibodies against target variants).
Safety data from prior formulations and ongoing monitoring systems.
Real-world effectiveness data from previous seasons.

It’s important to understand a limitation: updated vaccines are typically authorized based largely on immune-response data rather than large, new clinical trials measuring hospitalization outcomes. Scientists rely on established correlates of protection and prior-season effectiveness data to infer expected benefit.

That does not mean the vaccine is untested—it builds on years of accumulated safety and effectiveness monitoring—but it does mean real-world data will continue to be evaluated during the season.

Can You Get COVID, Flu, and RSV Vaccines Together?

Yes. According to CDC clinical guidance, COVID-19 vaccines may be administered at the same visit as:

Influenza vaccines.
RSV vaccines (when age-appropriate).

Shots are given in different injection sites. Some people may experience slightly more short-term side effects—such as fatigue or arm soreness—when receiving multiple vaccines together, but coadministration is considered safe.

This can be especially convenient for older adults who qualify for flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination in the same season.

How Much It Costs and What Insurance Covers

For most Americans, cost should not be a barrier.

Medicare Part B covers ACIP-recommended COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing.
Medicaid covers recommended vaccines without cost-sharing.
ACA-compliant private insurance plans must cover ACIP-recommended vaccines with no copay when administered in-network.

If you are uninsured, local health departments, community clinics, or federally qualified health centers may offer low- or no-cost options.

Side Effects: What’s Normal and When to Call a Doctor

Most side effects are mild and short-lived. Common reactions include:

Sore arm.
Fatigue.
Low-grade fever.
Headache or muscle aches.

These typically resolve within one to three days.

Seek medical care right away if you experience:

Chest pain or shortness of breath.
Severe allergic symptoms such as facial swelling or difficulty breathing.
Persistent high fever.
Neurological symptoms such as weakness or severe confusion.

Serious adverse events remain rare, and ongoing safety monitoring continues through federal systems.

What This Means for You

For the 2025–2026 season, the CDC’s message is consistent: staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination helps reduce your risk of severe illness, especially if you are older, immunocompromised, or living with chronic health conditions.

You can usually get your COVID-19 shot during the same visit as your flu vaccine. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover it without out-of-pocket costs.

Protection against infection may not be perfect, and recommendations could change if new variants emerge. But vaccination remains one of the most reliable tools to lower the risk of hospitalization and death as the virus continues to evolve.

If you’re unsure about your dosing schedule—especially for children, older adults, or immunocompromised family members—check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist and review the latest CDC guidance.

Sources

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early, limited, or subject to change as new evidence emerges. For personal guidance, diagnosis, or treatment, consult a licensed clinician. For current outbreak or public health guidance, follow your local health department, the CDC, or another relevant public health authority.