On August 27, the FDA approved updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax-Sanofi, with formulations better designed to match the COVID variants currently circulating in the United States. The approvals come with an important change, with the FDA narrowing the approved population compared to previous years. Here’s what every American should know about the new vaccines.
What Are The New COVID Vaccines?
The updated vaccines are updated versions of existing COVID-19 vaccines, reformulated to closely target the JN.1-descendant XFG variant of the virus, which accounts for the majority of cases occurring currently the in United States. Moderna’s two new updated vaccines Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE as well as Pfizer’s vaccine Comirnaty use mRNA technology, while Novavax-Sanofi’s Nuvaxovid vaccine uses a protein-based technology.
Updated COVID vaccines are necessary, just as flu vaccines are updated because immunity wanes with time, even among those vaccinated and those that have had prior COVID infections. In addition, the virus mutates, which creates a need for vaccines that better match strains that are circulating in the general population.
Who Are The New Vaccines Approved For?
The FDA has approved all four vaccines for those 65 years of age and older, as well as for younger Americans who have at least one condition that puts them at risk for severe COVID infection.
In addition to those 65 years of age and older, Moderna’s Spikevax is approved for individuals between 6 months to 64 years of age with qualifying conditions. For Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine, the approved population includes people 65 and older and those ages 5-64 with at least one underlying condition associated with increased risk of COVID-19. Moderna’s mNEXSPIKE and Novavax’s Nuvaxovid are approved for adults 65 and older and younger individuals between 12-64 with qualifying risk factors.
Underlying conditions that are associated with an increased risk of having severe COVID-19 are broad; but include diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, cancer and pregnancy; to name a few.
What Do The Vaccines Protect Against?
The primary goal of vaccination is to reduce the likelihood that COVID-19 turns into a serious illness, particularly those with weakened immune systems such as infants, the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant females. The updated vaccines offer protection against serious disease, hospitalization and death, according to the CDC.
The updated vaccines improve the immune system’s ability to recognize currently circulating variants of the COVID virus, namely the XFG variant. No COVID vaccine provides perfect protection against infection, and people can still become infected even after vaccination.
Will Insurance Cover The New COVID Vaccines?
Traditionally, COVID vaccines have been covered by the vast majority of insurance companies without cost sharing. Medicare Part B covers FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines with no out-of-pocket cost when administered by a participating provider.
Private insurance companies have also historically covered the vaccines without cost-sharing. However, insurance coverage for vaccines is usually linked with recommendations made by the CDC vaccine advisory committee. This committee has not met this year due to legal issues, and no federal vaccine recommendations on COVID-19 have been made, creating some uncertainty as to whether private insurance companies will cover the shot. Thus, Americans should check their insurer and pharmacy before making an appointment to ensure their personal coverage for the vaccine exists.
Where Can Americans Get Vaccinated?
The updated vaccines are expected to become available in the next days or weeks at pharmacies, doctors’ offices, hospitals and other vaccine clinics. The best practical advice includes checking with your primary-care doctor or local pharmacy, confirm they have the updated 2026-2027 formulation of the updated COVID vaccine and verify insurance coverage before receiving the shot.
Although COVID-19 has changed since the days of the pandemic, it has not disappeared and case counts have been rising throughout the United States, as I have explained previously in Forbes. For older Americans and those at higher risk of complications, staying current on vaccinations remains one of the most important ways to reduce the chances that an infection becomes a medical emergency.
