COVID-19 vaccine approvals narrowed to seniors and high-risk groups
Enacted8/10
Federal · FDA BLA approvals for Comirnaty, Spikevax, and Nuvaxovid, Aug. 27, 2025 · Approved by voters Aug 27, 2025
Impact 8/10
On August 27, 2025, the FDA approved the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines only for people 65 and older and for younger people with at least one condition placing them at high risk of severe disease, while revoking the emergency use authorizations that had covered healthy children and adults. Earlier, in May 2025, HHS removed the recommendation of COVID-19 vaccination for healthy children and healthy pregnant women from the CDC immunization schedule. Healthy people under 65 lost on-label access, and availability in 2025-2026 varied by state as pharmacies applied prescription and eligibility rules.
HealthcareChildrenYoung adults (18-30)Working-age adultsParents / caregiversPregnant people
Sources
✓ Verified against primary sources 2026-08-16