But this year, the hunt for an updated COVID vaccine may be fraught.
Typically, vaccine advisors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also weigh it with their own COVID vaccine recommendations, and that should happen next week (Sept. 18 to 19).
Tell us in the poll below, and if you’ve encountered specific issues while getting this year’s COVID vaccine, let us know what they were in the comments.
Live Science will publish additional guidance on the 2025-2026 COVID vaccine next week, so stay tuned for that article, too.
How was your experience of trying to get the 2025-2026 COVID vaccine?
Updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine are released every fall, coinciding with the annual flu vaccination. These updated COVID vaccines, like the flu shot, are designed to protect against strains of the virus that are more likely to be encountered in the upcoming months rather than strains that were prevalent the year before.
However, the search for an updated COVID vaccine could be challenging this year.
Only those 65 years of age or older or those who are at least 6 months old and have one underlying medical condition that raises their risk of a severe COVID infection are qualified to receive the updated vaccination, according to guidance released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August. Even then, their insurance might not cover the COVID vaccination, and those who fall outside of these two categories might need to see a doctor to obtain a prescription. The picture differs from state to state and the situation is unclear.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisors usually consider it along with their own COVID vaccine recommendations, and that ought to take place next week (Sept. 18–19). However, that committee’s decision is uncertain because powerful anti-vaccine activists were just added.
Already, some states are deviating from the federal guidelines. For example, the health departments of New Jersey and Minnesota have issued directives with the same goal of expanding access to the vaccines for their citizens, and both states have issued executive orders to that effect. Although information on the 2025–2026 COVID vaccines has not yet been released, Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii have joined forces to offer their citizens unified vaccination recommendations.
If you have attempted to receive a COVID vaccine this year, please share your experience in the poll below. If you have experienced any particular problems, please share them in the comments section. Keep an eye out for Live Science’s upcoming article on the 2025–2026 COVID vaccine, which will include more guidance.
Related: Conflicting federal guidelines have left children’s COVID-19 vaccines enmeshed in uncertainty.
It’s your turn!
What was your experience trying to get the COVID vaccine in 2025–2026?
I received the vaccine and found it to be about as simple as in years past.
Even though I received the vaccination, it was harder than in years past.
Despite my appointment, I was unable to receive the vaccination.
Although I haven’t scheduled an appointment yet, I intend to get vaccinated. I anticipate no problems.
I had intended to receive a vaccination, but given the regulatory changes, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to.
I haven’t attempted to get a COVID vaccination this year.
Thank you for casting your vote!
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Editor of the Health channel.
Live Science’s health channel editor, Nicoletta Lanese, was formerly a staff writer and news editor. She has degrees in dance and neuroscience from the University of Florida, as well as a graduate certificate in science communication from UC Santa Cruz. Among other publications, The Scientist, Science News, the Mercury News, Mongabay, and Stanford Medicine Magazine have all featured her work. She is based in New York City and continues to be very active in dance, participating in local choreographers’ productions.
