Health Officials Anticipate Fall 2025 COVID-19 Boosters, Targeting Updated Variants
Washington D.C. – Health officials are preparing for the rollout of updated COVID-19 boosters in fall 2025,designed to combat currently circulating and anticipated future variants of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and drug Administration (FDA) are collaborating to determine the specific composition of the vaccine, with a focus on strains expected to be dominant during the upcoming respiratory virus season.
The move comes as the virus continues to evolve, necessitating periodic vaccine updates to maintain optimal protection. While the immediate threat of widespread severe illness has diminished due to prior vaccination and immunity from infection, experts emphasize the importance of continued boosting, notably for vulnerable populations including seniors, immunocompromised individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. The updated boosters will likely be available at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and community vaccination sites, mirroring the distribution strategy of previous campaigns. The FDA will convene its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory committee (VRBPAC) to review the data and make recommendations regarding vaccine composition before final approval.
The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine,regardless of prior vaccination status. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, novavax, and Pfizer-BioNTech.
