CDC Says Adults 65 and Older Should Get 2 Updated COVID Shots for 2025–26: What Seniors Need to Know

As of March 27, 2026, the short answer for older adults is simple: if you are 65 or older in the United States, the CDC says you should get 2 doses of a 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine.

For most people in this age group, dose 2 is due about 6 months after dose 1. That means many seniors who got their first updated shot in fall 2025 will be due for their second dose in spring 2026.

This matters because older adults still face the highest risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. The vaccine is not a guarantee against infection, but it is still an important tool for lowering the risk of the outcomes that matter most.

What CDC says for adults 65+ in 2025–2026

The current CDC schedule says adults age 65 and older should receive 2 doses of a 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine.

The recommended timing is:

Dose 1: when you start the 2025–2026 season schedule
Dose 2: about 6 months after dose 1

There are also minimum intervals if dose 2 needs to be given sooner:

At least 2 months after dose 1 for Pfizer-BioNTech, Novavax, and Moderna Spikevax
At least 3 months after dose 1 for Moderna mNexspike

In everyday terms, most older adults should think of this as a two-shot season: one dose to start, then a second dose about half a year later.

Why older adults are still treated differently from younger adults

This part has caused confusion.

CDC’s 2025 policy moved COVID vaccination into an individual-based decision-making model. That means vaccination is still available, but the conversation is more personalized than it used to be.

However, adults 65 and older were not dropped into a vague “maybe” category. They are still specifically called out because the balance of benefit and risk remains strongly in their favor.

Age is a major reason. Older adults have the highest risk of severe COVID-19. CDC says more than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over 65, and death rates in this group are far higher than in younger adults.

So the message is not that younger adults are barred from vaccination. It is that the public health case is clearest for seniors and other high-risk groups.

How to time dose 1 and dose 2 this season

If you already received one 2025–2026 COVID shot in fall 2025, your second dose will often fall in spring 2026.

For example:

If you got dose 1 in October 2025, dose 2 will often be due around April 2026
If you got dose 1 in November 2025, dose 2 will often be due around May 2026

If you have not had any 2025–2026 COVID vaccine yet, you can still start now. Then you would schedule the second dose using the same interval rules.

Most seniors do not need to memorize the brand-specific details. The practical question is usually: Have I had my first 2025–2026 dose yet, and if so, when was it? If you know that date, your pharmacy, clinic, or doctor’s office can help you plan the second one.

Which vaccine formula is being used this year

For the 2025–2026 season, federal regulators selected a monovalent JN.1-lineage-based formula, with preference for the LP.8.1 strain.

That sounds technical, but the plain-language point is straightforward: the vaccine was updated to better match the versions of the virus that have been circulating more recently.

Like previous updates, this is meant to improve protection against severe disease. It does not mean the vaccine will perfectly match every future variant or fully prevent all infections.

What Medicare covers and where seniors can get the shot

For many older adults, cost should not be the main barrier.

Medicare Part B covers the updated 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccines, including Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax. If your provider accepts assignment, you pay nothing out of pocket for the shot.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to use an in-network provider. It is smart to check before your appointment if you are unsure.

Many seniors can get vaccinated through a pharmacy, doctor’s office, clinic, or another provider that bills Medicare. Bring your Medicare card or your Medicare Advantage plan card so the claim can be processed correctly.

What the evidence shows, and what experts still do not know

The best current evidence still supports vaccination as a way to reduce severe outcomes, especially hospitalization.

One recent systematic review looked across hundreds of studies on COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccines. For COVID-19, it found meaningful protection against hospitalization from updated vaccines. That is the strongest reason many public health experts still favor vaccination for older adults.

But there are important limits.

This review was not a head-to-head test of the exact 2025–2026 LP.8.1-based formula in every group of seniors. It pooled evidence from the broader updated-vaccine era, including studies of earlier subvariants. That means the review supports the overall strategy, but it cannot promise exactly how much protection any one older adult will get this season or exactly how long that protection will last.

There is also uncertainty about timing. COVID has continued to circulate year-round in the United States, with waves at different times of year. That is one reason the second dose for seniors matters. At the same time, experts still do not know whether future COVID patterns will settle into a more predictable seasonal rhythm.

What to do if you test positive despite vaccination

Vaccination is one layer of protection, not the only one.

If you are 65 or older and develop COVID symptoms or test positive, contact a clinician quickly. Treatment works best when it starts early, usually within 5 to 7 days after symptoms begin.

Do not wait to see if you get worse first. Older adults are more likely to benefit from prompt evaluation for antiviral treatment, especially if they also have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or other conditions that raise risk.

If you feel short of breath, have chest pain, seem confused, or have trouble staying hydrated, seek urgent medical care.

What this means for readers

If you are 65 or older, the clearest takeaway is this: CDC still says you should receive 2 updated COVID shots for the 2025–2026 schedule, with the second dose usually due about 6 months after the first.

That recommendation exists for a practical reason. Older adults remain the group at highest risk for the most serious COVID outcomes.

If you already had your first updated shot in fall 2025, now is a good time to check whether you are due for dose 2. If you have not started yet, you can still begin the schedule. And if you get sick, do not delay testing and treatment, because the treatment window is short.

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.