The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved new COVID-19 vaccines for fall 2025, but with notable restrictions on who can receive them. Federal health officials announced that the updated shots—designed to target the latest circulating strains, including the “Stratus” omicron subvariant—should be available by mid-September.
The move comes as the U.S. experiences a late-summer surge in COVID-19 cases, raising concerns among experts that limiting vaccine eligibility could leave vulnerable groups at risk.
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Who Can Get the Updated Shots?
According to the FDA’s August 27 decision, eligibility will now focus on high-risk groups:
- Younger adults and children with at least one chronic health condition, such as obesity or asthma.
- Children under age 5 will no longer be eligible for Pfizer’s vaccine but may receive doses from Moderna or Novavax.
- All U.S. adults 65 and older remain eligible for vaccination.
This shift means that millions of otherwise healthy adults and children will no longer qualify for the updated shots, unless they can demonstrate underlying medical vulnerabilities.
The American College of Cardiology has urged broader access, recommending vaccination against respiratory illnesses—including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV—for people with cardiovascular disease.
Changing Policies Raise Concerns
The FDA’s decision follows earlier policy changes. In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy adults under 65, pregnant people, and healthy children.
In early August, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced $500 million in cuts to mRNA vaccine development programs. Shortly after, his agency revived the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, a move some experts fear could signal a shift toward anti-vaccine policies.
These changes arrive as the CDC reports a record-high number of unvaccinated children nationwide, alongside the highest U.S. measles case count in more than three decades.
Pediatric Experts Push Back
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its own recommendations in response, urging parents to vaccinate children ages 6 months through 18 years against COVID-19.
Medical professionals warn that restricting access to vaccines could lead to preventable illness.
“With fewer persons vaccinated, we can anticipate an increase in hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and even deaths during the coming winter season,” said William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Danelle Fisher, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, called the development alarming:
“It’s a really scary proposition that vaccines might not be available to everyone. We may see what havoc COVID can still cause. Fasten your seat belts.”
Restricting COVID-19 Shots Could Trigger a Surge in Cases
The latest round of COVID-19 vaccines is expected to roll out by mid-September, featuring updated formulas designed to protect against the newest strains of the virus. While supply is projected to be adequate, experts warn that recent federal policy shifts could limit access—and potentially drive a rise in cases.
Vaccine Supply Likely Sufficient, but Demand Uncertain
Steven Jensen, MD, pediatrician and medical director of General Pediatrics at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA, said manufacturers have ramped up production to meet anticipated demand. Pharmacies, clinics, and doctors’ offices are expected to carry enough doses for those eligible to receive them, though rural communities may face limited distribution.
“The difficulty will not be having enough vaccines available,” Jensen told Healthline. “The main challenge will be vaccine fatigue. Many people feel less motivated to get updated boosters, and misinformation around safety continues to discourage vaccination.”
Legal and Policy Barriers
Beyond hesitancy, logistical and regulatory hurdles may complicate access. Politico reports that pharmacies in 18 states and Washington, D.C., are legally bound to follow CDC vaccination guidelines. That means pharmacists may refuse to administer shots to individuals under 65 unless they have an underlying medical condition.
This is particularly significant since nearly 90% of COVID-19 doses during the 2024–2025 season were distributed through pharmacies nationwide.
The Risk to Healthy Caregivers
Restricting eligibility could also leave healthy people who live with or care for vulnerable populations without protection. Jake Scott, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford University, warned that insurance companies may follow suit, requiring those outside the CDC’s recommended groups to pay out of pocket.
“We’re creating a system where your ability to protect yourself and your family depends on your ability to pay,” Scott said.
Vulnerable Groups at Greater Risk
Pediatrician Danelle Fisher, MD, of Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, emphasized that such restrictions could place the most fragile populations—such as infants, cancer patients, and people with chronic illnesses—at greater risk.
“The most vulnerable will be the ones hit first,” Fisher said. “And realistically, everyone knows someone in that category.”
Wider Public Health Consequences
Experts warn the ripple effects of reduced vaccination rates will be felt across society.
“When vaccination rates drop, viruses don’t just affect the unvaccinated,” Scott explained. “They spread through schools, overwhelm hospitals, and put vulnerable people at risk. We’re setting ourselves up for preventable outbreaks.”
Experts Warn Disease Could Spread Without Continued mRNA Vaccine Research
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, long in development, gained global attention during the COVID-19 pandemic after being used in vaccines distributed by Pfizer and Moderna. Unlike traditional vaccines, which rely on weakened or inactivated pathogens, mRNA vaccines work by teaching the body’s own cells to produce an antigen temporarily, prompting an immune response.
But experts warn that recent cuts to mRNA vaccine research could slow innovation and leave the United States unprepared for future outbreaks.
More Than Just COVID-19
While best known for their role in combating COVID-19, mRNA technologies extend far beyond vaccines.
“It is important to remember that mRNA technology has potential beyond just vaccines, including personalized cancer therapy, gene editing, and treatment for genetic disorders,” said Steven Jensen, MD, medical director of General Pediatrics at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA.
He cautioned that reduced investment in mRNA research could “have significant adverse effects on scientific progress in finding innovative treatments for these illnesses and in preparing for future emergent diseases.”
Controversial Funding Cuts
In early August, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the elimination of $500 million in funding for 22 mRNA vaccine development programs. He argued that the vaccines “fail to protect” against respiratory illnesses.
Experts say that reasoning is misguided.
“This is a half-billion-dollar decision based on fundamentally flawed science,” said Jake Scott, MD, an infectious disease specialist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford University.
Scott noted that the report Kennedy cited in support of the decision actually highlighted the dangers of COVID-19 infection, not the ineffectiveness of vaccines. “Most of the studies show harmful effects from COVID infection, which actually supports vaccination, not the opposite,” he explained.
Speed Matters in a Pandemic
One of the strengths of mRNA vaccines, experts emphasize, is their adaptability. Unlike traditional inoculations, which can take months to update, mRNA vaccines can be retooled in a matter of weeks.
“We’re abandoning the one vaccine technology that can be updated in weeks instead of months,” Scott said. “When the next pandemic hits—and it will—those extra months of development time mean preventable deaths.”
A Call for U.S. Leadership
Pediatrician Danelle Fisher, MD, of Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, argued that the United States should remain at the forefront of vaccine innovation.
“We should be leading the charge,” she said. “We don’t know what pathogens are coming.”
Rising Childhood Vaccine Exemptions Spark Public Health Concerns
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that exemptions from one or more vaccines among U.S. kindergarteners rose to 3.6% in 2025, up from 3.3% the previous year. At the same time, vaccination coverage among this group declined across the board, ranging from 92.1% for the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine to 92.5% for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio vaccines.
The trend is alarming in light of more than 1,400 measles cases confirmed so far this year—the highest number in over three decades and a steep rise compared with just 285 reported in 2024.
Weakening Herd Immunity
Experts warn that rising exemption rates could erode herd immunity, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
“Higher rates of vaccine exemptions for children have several concerns,” said Steven Jensen, MD, pediatrician and medical director of General Pediatrics at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA. “When exemption rates increase, herd immunity weakens, making it easier for disease to spread.”
Clusters Pose Greater Risks
Jake Scott, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford University, emphasized that exemptions are not distributed evenly across the population.
“The geographic clustering is the real danger,” Scott explained. “These aren’t isolated families—they’re concentrated communities where measles or whooping cough can tear through unprotected children. We’ve seen it happen before, and we’re setting up for it to happen again.”
A Warning From the Past
William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, voiced concern over parents increasingly seeking exemptions for their children.
“We do not want to go back to the ‘bad old days,’” Schaffner said. “These diseases were much worse than many today believe.”
How to Stay Healthy If You Can’t Get a COVID-19 Shot
While most COVID-19 cases resolve without medical intervention, managing symptoms and reducing your risk of infection remain important—especially if you are not eligible for vaccination.
Managing Symptoms at Home
If you contract COVID-19, these steps may help ease discomfort:
- Rest to allow your body time to recover.
- Stay hydrated with water, clear broths, or electrolyte drinks.
- Use over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers or fever reducers to manage mild symptoms.
If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical care. Healthcare providers may prescribe antiviral therapy such as Paxlovid, which has been shown to reduce the severity of illness in high-risk patients.
Reducing Your Risk of Infection
Experts say there are practical steps everyone—vaccinated or not—can take to lower their chances of getting sick:
- Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and regular exercise to support a strong immune system.
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.
- Wear masks in crowded public spaces or while traveling to reduce exposure to respiratory viruses.
“These habits not only lower your risk of COVID-19 but also help protect against other viral infections,” said Danelle Fisher, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I get COVID-19 but can’t take the vaccine?
Most people recover with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicines. If symptoms worsen, see a doctor—antivirals like Paxlovid may be prescribed.
Can lifestyle changes really lower my risk of COVID-19?
Yes. Adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise help strengthen your immune system, making it more resilient against infections.
Are masks still effective for preventing COVID-19?
Masks remain one of the best tools for reducing exposure, especially in crowded indoor spaces or during travel.
Should I use hand sanitizer even if I wash my hands often?
Yes. Hand sanitizer is useful when soap and water aren’t available. Consistent hand hygiene helps block the spread of many viruses, including COVID-19.
If I’m healthy, do I really need to worry about getting vaccinated?
Even healthy individuals can get seriously ill from COVID-19, and they can spread the virus to vulnerable people. If vaccination is not an option for you, following preventive measures is especially important.
Can children who aren’t eligible for vaccines stay protected?
Yes. Parents should encourage healthy habits, limit exposure in crowded spaces, and ensure caregivers are up to date with their vaccinations.
Is it possible to boost my immunity naturally against COVID-19?
While no food or supplement prevents infection, maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, and getting enough rest all contribute to stronger immunity.
Conclusion
If you’re unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, staying healthy requires extra attention to daily habits and preventive measures. Simple steps like proper rest, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good hygiene, and wearing masks in crowded spaces can go a long way in reducing risk. While most COVID-19 cases are mild, seeking timely medical care when symptoms persist is crucial. By taking proactive steps, you can protect yourself and those around you—even without vaccination.
