The new COVID-19 booster vaccines for the 2025-26 season have been approved by the U.S. FDA as of late August 2025 and are expected to be available for distribution imminently, with Pfizer and Moderna shots expected to be available within days and Novavax's vaccine arriving in early fall. However, access to the boosters will be more limited than in previous years, restricted primarily to adults 65 and older and younger individuals with underlying health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19. For children under 5, only Moderna's vaccine will be available, as Pfizer's authorization for this age group was revoked. These updated boosters target newer coronavirus variants circulating this year. Availability at pharmacies and vaccine sites should begin very soon, in late August and early September 2025.
Key Details on Availability and Eligibility
- Boosters from Pfizer and Moderna are available immediately or within days.
- Novavax's COVID vaccine is expected in early fall 2025.
- Use and distribution are limited to:
- Adults aged 65 and older.
- People aged 6 months through 64 years with at least one high-risk medical condition.
- Pfizer’s vaccine is no longer authorized for children under 5; only Moderna’s vaccine is available for that youngest group.
- The new vaccines target the subvariant LP.8.1, predominant in the current viral landscape.
- The updated vaccines are aligned with the annual respiratory virus vaccine timing, similar to the flu shot schedule.
Additional Context
- The U.S. government has narrowed vaccine access from the broad recommendations in previous years.
- People who want the vaccine should consult healthcare providers to see if they qualify under the current guidelines.
- The CDC and medical community still emphasize vaccination for high-risk individuals to prevent severe illness.
In summary, the new COVID boosters are available now or very soon, but only for select populations deemed at higher risk of severe disease due to age or medical conditions, with limitations especially for young children.
