For many Americans, getting a COVID booster has become a yearly ritual, similar to getting a flu shot. But this year, many who might otherwise have gotten a booster may be unable to.

Late in August, the FDA approved updated vaccines — but it also established a new eligibility policy, limiting who has access to those vaccines.

What’s the new COVID shot policy for fall 2025?

The FDA approval extends to several vaccines: Moderna’s mRNA vaccine for people aged six months and older, Pfizer’s mRA vaccine for people five years old or older and the protein-based Novavax vaccine, which is for people aged 12 and older.

The two mRNA vaccines were designed to target the LP.8.1 variant, which has accounted for a significant portion of recent COVID-related illnesses, while the Novavax vaccine is designed to fight an Omicron strain.

But the new approval also limits eligibility and reduces access to the vaccines for a wide range of people.

Under the new authorization, vaccines are available to people who’ve reached their 65th birthday — while anyone younger will be eligible only if they have at least one existing medical condition that would put them in danger if they catch COVID.

Healthy adults and children under 18 can also receive the updated COVID shots, but only under the direction of a medical provider. Emergency use authorizations — which made the Pfizer vaccines available to children under 5 — have also been withdrawn.

Because of this, many Americans who now get their vaccines at a pharmacy will instead need to book a doctor’s appointment. This may extend the time it takes to receive the vaccine or keep some people from getting the shots at all.

The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, which makes its own recommendation about who should receive the shots, includes several members who are skeptical of the COVID vaccine. The entire board was replaced by Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in June.

The CDC’s decision could limit access even further, since in several states — including California, Florida, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania — it’s illegal for pharmacy technicians to give vaccines not recommended by the CDC.

How to get a COVID booster this year

While the new approval may affect your ability to easily get your COVID booster the next time you swing by the grocery store pharmacy, you can still get vaccinated — though you may need to book an appointment with your primary care physician to do so.

These new restrictions could also affect the cost of the vaccines. In past years, COVID shots have been available for free to many, thanks to extensive insurance coverage. But under the new approval, those who don’t fit the new eligibility guidelines might have to pay for them out of pocket.

According to the CDC’s vaccine price list, COVID vaccines for adults can cost as much as $140 per dose out of pocket, while pediatric doses start at around $60. This could add several hundred dollars to the average family’s health care budget, just as fall begins to set in and seasonal illnesses take hold.

Shopping around for the best health insurance price can help you lower your overall cost of health care, especially since the average Silver-tier plan costs over $600 per month in premiums.

If you and your family regularly pay medical expenses out of pocket, opting for a Health Savings Account (HSA) can help, though you will need a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) in order to qualify. You can also check if your employer offers a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) through your benefits package.