Sign in Subscribe
Vaccines

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Adults and High-Risk Individuals

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing authorization for updated COVID-19 vaccines for adults aged 65 and older, as well as individuals under 65 with certain medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100 million to 200 million people in the US will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine under the new framework. The vaccines will be available at pharmacies and doctors' offices across the country, with CVS and Walgreens preparing to offer the vaccine in states where regulations allow.

Key Takeaways:

  • The updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for adults aged 65 and older, as well as individuals under 65 with certain medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection.
  • Approximately 100 million to 200 million people in the US will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine under the new framework.
  • The vaccines will be available at pharmacies and doctors' offices across the country, with CVS and Walgreens preparing to offer the vaccine in states where regulations allow.
  • Children and pregnant individuals may face different access to the vaccine, with children able to get vaccines after consulting with a healthcare provider, but emergency use authorizations rescinded for children younger than 5.
  • Insurance coverage for the updated COVID-19 vaccines may vary, with public insurance likely continuing to cover vaccination for eligible individuals, but private insurance companies' coverage uncertain.
  • Healthcare providers can provide COVID-19 vaccines "off-label" for individuals who do not meet the new eligibility criteria based on their age or overall health.
  • Determining eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination may be part of the process of making an appointment, but it is unclear whether a simple self-report of a condition will be sufficient to justify vaccination.
  • Individuals can get a seasonal flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time if they are eligible for each vaccine.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 100 million to 200 million people in the US will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine under the new framework.
  • 71.5% of COVID-19 vaccinations in the US during the 2023-24 respiratory virus season occurred in pharmacies or drug stores.
  • 9.2% of COVID-19 vaccinations in the US during the 2023-24 respiratory virus season occurred in clinics or health centers.

Sources:

  • Ghana Web (September 9, 2025)
  • US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • US Food and Drug Administration
  • The New England Journal of Medicine
  • CVS Pharmacy
  • Walgreens
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics
  • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer and BioNTech
  • Novavax
  • Immunize.org

Read more