10/27/2026
Recommendations for the use of the 2026–2027 Formula COVID-19 vaccines were issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) on September 2, 2026. Their recommendations were informed by the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) of the University of Minnesota and the American Medical Association (AMA), which conducted a systematic review of relevant scientific literature published since the previous season’s vaccination recommendations were made. There is no preference expressed for any product: Spikevax (mRNA, age 6 months and up), Comirnaty (mRNA, age 5 years and up), mNexspike (mRNA, age 12 years and up), and Nuvaxovid (protein subunit, age 12 years and up).
In the 2025–26 season, CDC’s recommendation was for COVID-19 vaccination following shared clinical decision-making (a conversation about individual risks and benefits of vaccination) for all people, beginning at age 6 months.
The 2026–27 recommendations from medical societies are summarized below:
AAP (children through age 18 years):
• Age 6 through 23 months: routine use in all children.
• Age 2 through 18 years:
o at high risk of severe COVID-19, or
o who are residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings, or
o who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, or
o whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19, or
o who meets none of the above conditions, but whose parent or guardian desires their protection.
AAFP (immunocompetent adults and healthcare professionals):
• All adults age 19 years and older should receive a dose of 2026–2027 Formula COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adults age 65 years or older should receive a second dose of 2026–2027 Formula COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after the first dose to sustain protection.
• All healthcare personnel should be age-appropriately vaccinated.
ACOG (pregnancy):
• A dose of 2026–2027 Formula COVID-19 vaccine is routinely recommended for all individuals who are pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, recently pregnant, or lactating.
IDSA (immunocompromised people):
• A dose of 2026–2027 Formula COVID-19 vaccine is routinely recommended for people who are immunocompromised and, if they are moderately or severely immunocompromised, who have completed an initial vaccination series.
• A second booster dose can be given 2 to 6 months after dose one based on shared decision making and current levels of transmission.
• IDSA refers readers to previous guidance from CDC for the dosing schedules for an initial vaccination series recommended for a person with a moderate or severe immunocompromising condition. IDSA’s recommendations also give guidance for optimal timing of doses for certain subgroups based upon their disease or specific treatment.
You’ll find this answer, as well as other COVID-19 vaccine Q&As, here: www.immunize.org/ask-experts/topic/covid-19.
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