What you need to know
- The CDC has signed off on 2025-2026 COVID-19 shots, but you’ll need to talk to a health care provider to get one.
- Access isn’t the same everywhere. Some states and providers have doses now, while others are rolling them out more slowly or waiting on supply.
- Major medical groups still recommend COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older.
On October 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopted its vaccine advisers’ recommendation that people 6 months and older can get a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine after talking with a health care provider.
COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, and vaccination is still one of the best ways to avoid serious illness. Here’s what we know so far about who can get the vaccine, where to find it, and what’s next.
Who can get the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine now?
Anyone 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine after talking with a health care provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is different from previous years. Before, the CDC recommended that everyone get vaccinated. Now, the decision is made individually with a health professional.
“It’s up to the individual patient if they’d like to get the vaccine and is informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian,” Shannon Dillon, a CVS spokesperson, told PGN in a statement. “Our pharmacists will answer any questions patients have about the vaccine and administer it to anyone who wants it.”
Have there been problems accessing the vaccine?
Yes. Vaccine distribution is rolling out unevenly, and not every pharmacy or clinic has doses in stock. Smaller providers, especially offices that serve children, may need more time to order and receive shipments. Call before you go to be sure.
Access may also vary by state. In past years, states generally followed CDC guidance, especially the recommendations from its vaccine committee. But this year, that’s shifting. Many states set their own policies to keep COVID-19 access as broad as possible.
Wherever you live, if you don’t find a dose right away, check back in a few days or call your pharmacy or doctor to ask when doses are expected to arrive.
Is the COVID-19 shot free?
Most people with insurance who want a vaccine should be able to get it free this year. All major private health insurance plans and federal programs—including Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP—will cover COVID-19 vaccines.
For state-specific details, check with your pharmacy or health care provider.
Who is most at risk from COVID-19?
Vaccination is most important for people over 65 years old, anyone with a weakened immune system, and pregnant people. These groups are at higher risk of getting seriously sick. Staying up to date can help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
What do doctors recommend?
The largest medical organizations in the U.S. still recommend COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 23 months and for older children at high risk. TAnd the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also recommends COVID-19 vaccination for anyone who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.
The Infectious Disease Society of America also encourages COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to get the COVID-19 vaccine. They “remain our best tool to prevent severe disease, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19,” Dr. Tina Tan, IDSA president, said in a statement.
Why do I need another COVID-19 vaccine?
Even though many people have some protection from past vaccines or infections, that protection fades over time. The virus also keeps changing. Getting the updated vaccine gives your immune system a boost so it’s ready to fight the strains circulating now.