The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for people at higher risk from the disease. However, access to these vaccines will be limited due to age and health conditions.
Only individuals aged 65 and older or those younger with a high-risk health condition can receive the vaccine. Novavax’s protein-based shot is available only for people 12 and older. The FDA has revoked Pfizer’s emergency authorization for children under 5, making Moderna the sole provider of shots for this age group.
While it may be possible to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine “off-label,” doctors must weigh the risks and benefits with patients, and insurance companies may deny coverage. Pharmacists are also hesitant to administer vaccines off-label due to state laws.
Health insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccines is uncertain, as insurers base their decisions on CDC recommendations. However, some health experts believe that insurers may cover more vaccines than previously recommended.
The FDA’s decision reflects the vaccine skepticism of President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has canceled nearly half a billion dollars in mRNA vaccine development contracts. This change in approach aims to reduce confusion and uncertainty among insurance companies, pharmacists, and professional bodies.
Preliminary data from the CDC estimates that COVID-19 contributed to 47,500 American deaths last year. The updated shots target a recent coronavirus subtype named LP.8.1, which is closely related to some newly emerging cousins.
Source: https://www.kqed.org/news/12053906/covid-vaccines-booster-2025-fda-cdc-who-can-get-updated-vaccine-novavax-pfizer-moderna-where-find