🆕 UPDATED APRIL 2026

COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

Updated September 2026. Track the latest COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026–2027 season. On August 27–28, 2026, FDA approved updated XFG (JN.1-lineage) formulations from Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty XFG), Moderna (Spikevax XFG and mNEXSPIKE XFG), and Novavax/Sanofi (Nuvaxovid XFG). All approvals came via supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLA) — the standard annual strain-update route. All four keep the same narrow, risk-based indication FDA adopted for 2025–2026: adults ≥65, plus younger people with a qualifying high-risk condition (Comirnaty XFG and Nuvaxovid: ages 12–64; Spikevax XFG: ages 6 months–64; mNEXSPIKE XFG: ages 12–64). Shipments began within days; Nuvaxovid also cleared EU and Japanese authorization in the same window. See general COVID vaccine resources.

📅 2025-2026 Season Vaccines (Current)

All vaccines updated August 2025 to target circulating variants. Four options available for immunization this season:

Pfizer/BioNTech - Comirnaty (2025-2026)
FDA APPROVED
Target Variant: LP.8.1 (SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage)
Approval Date: August 2025
Type: mRNA vaccine (30 µg dose)
Age Groups: Ages 5+ with risk factors, and all adults 65+
Dosing: • Ages 5-11: 0.3 mL (10 µg)
• Ages 12+: 0.3 mL (30 µg)
Efficacy: 4-fold increase in LP.8.1-neutralizing antibodies (Phase 3 data)
Manufacturer: Pfizer Inc. & BioNTech SE
Moderna - Spikevax (2025-2026)
FDA APPROVED
Target Variant: LP.8.1 (SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage)
Approval Date: August 27, 2025
Type: mRNA vaccine
Age Groups: 6 months through 64 years with risk factors, and all adults 65+
Dosing: • Ages 6 months-11 years: 0.25 mL
• Ages 12+: 0.5 mL
Unique Feature: Youngest age approval - from 6 months old
Manufacturer: Moderna, Inc.
Moderna - mNexspike (2025-2026) ★ NEW PRODUCT
NEW - AUG 2025
Target Variant: LP.8.1 (SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage)
Approval Date: August 27, 2025
Type: mRNA vaccine (alternative Moderna formulation)
Age Groups: Ages 12-64 with risk factors, and all adults 65+
Dosing: 0.2 mL (10 µg) - single-dose prefilled syringe
Recommended Interval: 3 months after last dose (minimum 2 months acceptable)
Unique Feature: Alternative mRNA option with convenient single-dose prefilled syringe
Manufacturer: Moderna, Inc.
Novavax - Nuvaxovid (2025-2026)
FDA APPROVED
Target Variant: JN.1 strain (SARS-CoV-2)
Approval Date: August 27, 2025
Type: Adjuvanted protein subunit vaccine (NOT mRNA)
Age Groups: Ages 12+ with risk factors, and all adults 65+
Dosing: 0.5 mL (5 µg rS protein + 50 µg Matrix-M adjuvant)
Unique Feature: ONLY protein-based, non-mRNA option for those preferring traditional vaccine technology
Adjuvant: Matrix-M (saponin-based, enhances immune response)
Manufacturer: Novavax, Inc. (partnered with Sanofi)

📋 CDC 2025-2026 Vaccination Guidance

⚠️ IMPORTANT POLICY SHIFT

The CDC has moved from universal recommendations to "shared clinical decision-making" for the 2025-2026 season.

Who Should Get Vaccinated (Strong Recommendation):

All Adults 65+: Recommended - One dose of 2025-2026 vaccine
High-Risk Individuals: Recommended - Ages 6 months-64 years with:
• Chronic lung disease (COPD, asthma)
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Weakened immune system
• Obesity (BMI ≥30)
• Pregnancy
• Kidney or liver disease
Healthy Adults <65: Individualized decision - Consult healthcare provider
Benefits most outweigh risks for those with underlying conditions
Immunocompromised: May receive additional doses (≥2 months apart) per provider recommendation

Children's Vaccination Schedule:

Ages 6 months-4 years: Only Moderna Spikevax approved (Pfizer-BioNTech no longer authorized for this age group)

Ages 5+: All four vaccines available based on age-specific approvals

Key Changes from Previous Years:

📊 Vaccine Platform Comparison

Last Updated: April 28, 2026

2026-2027 Formula — APPROVED (August 27–28, 2026): Following the FDA VRBPAC recommendation of May 28, 2026, all four US-marketed COVID-19 vaccines were reformulated to the JN.1-lineage XFG variant and approved via supplemental BLAs over a 48-hour window: Comirnaty XFG (Pfizer-BioNTech), Spikevax XFG and mNEXSPIKE XFG (Moderna) on August 27; Nuvaxovid XFG (Novavax, distributed by Sanofi) on August 27–28. Nuvaxovid also cleared EU and Japanese authorization the same week. Manufacturers began shipping to pharmacies immediately, with broad retail availability from early September 2026 for the 2026–2027 respiratory season. As with 2025–2026, the eligibility indication remains restricted to adults ≥65 and younger individuals with qualifying high-risk conditions (age floor varies by product: Spikevax XFG from 6 months, others from 12 years). CDC recommendation for shared clinical decision-making with a healthcare provider continues for adults ≥6 months.

Next Update: ACIP fall 2026 meeting and any state-level Medicaid/pharmacy access decisions

Information based on FDA approvals, CDC guidance, and manufacturer data as of April 2026