This story was originally published on PGN.
What you need to know
The FDA approved 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines for people 65 and older, and for younger people with certain health conditions that raise their risk of severe illness.
The CDC has not yet issued its own recommendations, creating confusion. In the meantime, some states are expanding eligibility and some doctors can choose to give the vaccine off label.
Coverage and access vary by state and insurance, so check with your pharmacy or health care provider about availability where you live.
On August 27, the Food and Drug Administration approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax. However, the agency limited their use to certain age groups and people at higher risk, sparking confusion about vaccination this fall.
COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, and getting vaccinated is still one of the best ways to avoid serious illness. Many questions remain, but here’s what we know now about who can get the vaccine, where to find it, and what comes next.
Who can get this season’s COVID-19 vaccine based on FDA approval?
The FDA approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines for:
All adults 65 and older
Younger people who have at least one health condition that puts them at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19
Here’s how eligibility breaks down by brand:
Moderna (Spikevax): approved for ages 6 months and older.
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty): approved for ages 5 and older.
Novavax (Nuvaxovid): approved for ages 12 and older.
How do I know if I’m considered high risk for severe COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists many conditions that can raise your risk. These include asthma, cancer, obesity, chronic liver diseases, chronic lung diseases, and some mood disorders (such as depression).
Pregnancy is also on the CDC’s high-risk list. Research shows that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of severe illness for the parent and complications for the baby.
However, federal guidance is inconsistent: While the CDC identifies pregnancy as high risk, it has stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
What do doctors recommend?
Many medical groups still recommend COVID-19 vaccination for a wider group of people than the FDA’s current limits.
Dr. Susan J. Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called it “deeply troubling” that the FDA is limiting access for children. She said this creates “a dangerous vulnerability for children and their families,” especially as respiratory virus season begins, and that “respiratory illnesses can be particularly risky for infants and toddlers because their airways and lungs are still developing.”
The AAP continues to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 23 months, and for older children who are high risk. Kressly emphasized that any parent who wants their child vaccinated should be able to do so in consultation with their pediatrician.
Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, echoed those concerns. She said scientific evidence supports broader vaccination “far beyond” the FDA’s limits, noting that COVID-19 vaccines remain the best tool to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death—for healthy adults, children, and those at higher risk.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also recommends COVID-19 vaccination for anyone who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.
Can I get the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine if I’m not 65 or high risk?
Yes, but it depends. Despite the FDA’s approval, doctors can still give COVID-19 vaccines off label. That means they can offer it to people who don’t fall into the groups listed on the official label.
The IDSA and other expert groups have urged doctors to keep recommending and providing COVID-19 vaccines to their patients. In a September 2 webinar, Dr. Dave Chokshi, former NYC health commissioner and current chair of the Common Health Coalition, said that people who are not at high risk should talk to their doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine this fall. (Disclosure: The Common Health Coalition is a partner of The Public Good Projects, the organization that owns Public Good News.)
Yet, there’s no guarantee every doctor will be willing to give the vaccine off label.
Some states are also moving to set their own guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination amid federal uncertainty. New Mexico has already announced expanding eligibility, while states like California, Oregon, and Washington are considering similar steps.
Do I need to prove I’m high risk to get the vaccine?
It depends on the pharmacy and the state. In some places, pharmacies may only ask you to check a box saying you qualify. In others, they may require a doctor’s note or prescription.
See a list below for where things stand now; note that policies could change as federal and state guidance evolves.
Will the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine be covered by insurance?
For now, coverage depends on whether you meet the FDA’s criteria. If you are 65 or older, or younger with a high-risk condition, your insurance should coverthe COVID-19 vaccine.
However, insurance companies usually follow the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the CDC. This year, those recommendations are delayed until the panel meets September 18 and 19.
If you get the vaccine off label, check with your insurance company first to confirm coverage.
Where can I get the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine?
Right now, it depends on your state.
Available without a prescription: CVS told Public Good News that nearly all of its pharmacies and MinuteClinics will receive the updated vaccines this week. In some states, pharmacies can begin giving the shots right away. These include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Available with a prescription only (until CDC issues recommendations on September 19): In other states, pharmacists cannot give the vaccine until the CDC recommends it. But if you qualify under FDA rules and have a prescription, you can still get vaccinated. These states include: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Walgreens said it will follow the same rules: It will offer the vaccine where legally allowed. Patients can check eligibility by asking a pharmacist, visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, using the Walgreens app, or calling 1-800-WALGREENS.
For more details about eligibility where you live, check with your pharmacy or health care provider.
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