The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026–2027 respiratory virus season. The vaccines target the XFG variant and are approved for all adults 65 and older and for certain younger people with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19. Eligibility varies by vaccine: Comirnaty is approved for people ages 5 through 64 with a qualifying condition, Spikevax for people ages 6 months through 64, and mNEXSPIKE and Nuvaxovid for people ages 12 through 64.
Online conversation about the updated vaccines remains relatively limited. Some commenters expressed concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety or said they did not plan to receive an updated dose, while others said they receive COVID-19 vaccines each fall or were planning to schedule seasonal vaccinations. Questions focused on who is eligible under the updated approvals, when the vaccines will become available, when to receive an updated dose after a previous COVID-19 vaccination, whether children should be vaccinated, and whether people may face cost or access barriers.
Recommendation
While online conversation remains limited, the updated eligibility criteria may create confusion as people begin planning fall vaccinations. Health communicators may update COVID-19 vaccine webpages, FAQs, talking points, and other materials now to clearly explain who is eligible for each vaccine, when updated vaccines will be available, and when people should receive a dose based on their vaccination history.
Communicators may also be prepared to answer questions about cost, insurance coverage, and where eligible people can receive an updated vaccine. Messaging may continue to address false and misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccine safety while focusing on the questions people are asking about vaccination this fall.
Reading Links: AP
Communication resources: Find more talking points and resources for communicating about COVID-19
