What New COVID-19 Vaccine Restrictions Mean for Floridians

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that new and updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine have been approved. However, the agency has limited the approval of the new vaccines to adults 65 and older.

Those seeking the vaccine between the ages of 5 and 64 must have at least one underlying condition, such as asthma or obesity. The FDA approved new versions of the mRNA-based vaccines from Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), as well as the protein-based Novavax vaccine. The new vaccines will more closely match the new strains that are most prevalent this season.

These approvals mark a significant shift from previous years, when COVID-19 vaccines were broadly recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The CDC has not yet issued formal recommendations. Its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will next vote on guidance for the 2025–26 season.

The delay has created uncertainty about insurance coverage, as federal law requires insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC. While some insurers, including Aetna and Kaiser Permanente, have indicated that they will continue to cover the shots, broader access remains unknown.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have issued their own recommendations supporting vaccination for all children and pregnant women, respectively, citing ongoing risks of severe illness.