COVID-19 Booster Recommendations for 2025 Cold and Flu Season
For the 2025 cold and flu season, all individuals aged ≥6 months should receive the 2025 COVID-19 vaccine formulation, with vaccination ideally completed by the end of October 2025. 1
Current COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations
General Population (Not Immunocompromised)
- Adults aged ≥12 years: Need 1 dose of 2025 COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer-BioNTech) 2
- Children aged 5-11 years: Need 1 dose of 2025 COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) 2
- Children aged 6 months-4 years: Need an initial multidose vaccination series when first receiving COVID-19 vaccination, including at least 1 dose of the 2025 COVID-19 vaccine 2
Immunocompromised Individuals
- All ages ≥6 months: Should receive at least 1 dose of 2025 COVID-19 vaccine 2
- Unvaccinated persons aged 6 months-11 years: Recommended to receive an initial 3-dose vaccination series of a 2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (same manufacturer for all doses) 2
- Unvaccinated persons aged ≥12 years: Should complete either 3 doses of a 2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (same manufacturer) or 2 doses of 2025 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 2
Vaccine Effectiveness Data
Recent data from the 2024-2025 season shows:
- 33% effectiveness against COVID-19-associated emergency department/urgent care visits among adults ≥18 years 3
- 45-46% effectiveness against COVID-19-associated hospitalization among immunocompetent adults ≥65 years 3
- 40% effectiveness against COVID-19-associated hospitalization among adults ≥65 years with immunocompromising conditions 3
Timing Considerations
- COVID-19 vaccination should ideally be completed by the end of October 2025 1
- Continue vaccinating throughout the respiratory virus season as long as viruses are circulating 1
- For persons with acute COVID-19:
Co-administration with Other Vaccines
- COVID-19 and influenza vaccines can be administered simultaneously at different injection sites 1
- If administering COVID-19 vaccines with influenza vaccines that might cause more injection site reactions (e.g., high-dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccines), consider using different limbs 1
Current Vaccination Coverage and Challenges
As of November 2024, only 17.9% of adults ≥18 years had received a COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season, highlighting the need for continued vaccination efforts 4. Coverage varies by demographic characteristics and is lowest among younger adults and those without health insurance.
Key Considerations for Healthcare Providers
- Identify undervaccinated populations to guide outreach activities
- Emphasize the importance of vaccination for high-risk groups, particularly adults ≥65 years who have consistently shown higher hospitalization rates (67% of all COVID-19-associated hospitalizations during October 2023-January 2024 were among persons aged ≥65 years) 5
- Address vaccine hesitancy by discussing the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19-associated outcomes
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Delaying vaccination until peak respiratory virus season
- Failing to vaccinate high-risk individuals, particularly those ≥65 years and those with immunocompromising conditions
- Not considering co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to improve vaccination coverage
- Overlooking the need for different vaccination schedules based on age and immunocompromised status
The 2025 COVID-19 vaccine formulation is designed to target currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains and provide protection against severe COVID-19-associated illness and death 1. Healthcare providers should continue to promote vaccination throughout the respiratory virus season to ensure optimal protection against COVID-19.