There’s no universally recommended “spring booster” campaign in the U.S. right now, but if you haven’t had a shot since last fall, and you are eligible, this spring is a good time to get one.
Bottom line up front (BLUF): Yes, you should still get your COVID vaccine if you are eligible. The guidance has gotten more complicated lately, but the underlying science hasn’t changed: COVID vaccines still reduce your risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and long COVID.
Why is the current guidance more confusing than usual?
You may have noticed that COVID vaccine recommendations feel less clear-cut than in previous years. You are not alone! Vaccine recommendations are made by a committee called ACIP within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Unfortunately, that group has gone through major shifts, did not meet as originally scheduled, and made immunization recommendations without following established procedures. Because of this, a federal court blocked those changes from taking effect, and we are left with a lack of clarity on what the official recommendations are. However, the science hasn’t changed.
This is what the current recommendations actually say:
6 months and older: According to the CDC, the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people ages 6 months and older, based on shared clinical decision-making. This means a conversation with your clinician about your or your kids’ personal risk factors, health history, and the benefits and uncertainties of vaccination. Although it is not clearly spelled out, this means that you can get one vaccine in the 25/26 cycle. This means if you had a Covid vaccine dose back in the fall, you had your one recommended dose, and a second spring dose is not currently recommended for you.
A word about shared decision-making:
Shared clinical decision-making, or SCDM, gives patients a chance to talk through options and ask questions to decide what’s right for them. Sometimes it’s just a quick conversation, but the added ‘shared clinical decision-making’ label can be confusing. Some patients may not know who to talk with, what the conversation should cover, or how it gets documented. In today’s team-based U.S. healthcare system, clinicians, nurses, and pharmacists may be involved in discussing and delivering vaccines.
The bottom line is that the COVID vaccine is still available. You can talk with a pharmacist at your local pharmacy about getting vaccinated. Depending on your state’s laws and your child’s age, you may need to discuss vaccine options and recommendations with your or your child’s clinician.
Adults 65 and older: If you are 65 or older, you are eligible to receive two doses of the updated COVID vaccine in the 2025 and 2026 season. This means if you had your last dose in the fall, you are eligible for a second dose this spring, even if you don’t see reminders (there is no dedicated spring vaccine campaign in the US this year).
Immunocompromized people: If you are someone who is immunocompromized, you are also eligible to receive two doses of the 25/26 COVID vaccine, and if you had your fall dose, you can get your second dose this spring.
Adults 18–64 who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19: If you fall into this group, you are also eligible for one dose of the 25/26 COVID vaccine. Increased risk factors include older age, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, immunocompromising conditions, and pregnancy. This list is not exhaustive though, so if you’re unsure whether you’re in a higher-risk group, your trusted clinician or pharmacist is a great person to ask.
💡Did you know? You should be able to self-attest if you have any of the risk factors and do not need to provide documentation for this.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy falls into the category of higher risk for severe COVID-19, and the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ACOG) strongly recommends COVID vaccines for anyone who is pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. For pregnant folks, the CDC says the vaccine is available under shared decision-making [archived link].
What happens in other countries?
🇬🇧UK – The NHS is currently running its Spring 2026 Covid vaccination campaign. Free vaccinations are available for adults aged 75 and older by June 30, 2026, residents in care homes for older adults and immunosuppressed people aged 6 months and older. Anyone outside these eligibility criteria can purchase a COVID vaccine privately, but cost might be an issue (around £60-120/ $100-150).
🇨🇦Canada – like in the US, some high-risk folks are recommended to receive a second dose of the 2025/26 COVID vaccine:
Adults 80 years of age or older, adult residents in care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors, those 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment), and previously vaccinated adults 65 to 79 years of age who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
What about timing?
Protection provided by the COVID vaccine wanes over time, which means its ability to reduce severity declines over time. So if it’s been more than six months since your last shot or infection, your protection has likely dipped, and a booster dose will help restore it.
If you’re planning ahead for a family gathering, vacation, or any situation where you’ll be in crowds or close contact with higher-risk people, getting vaccinated about two weeks beforehand is ideal. That’s roughly how long it takes for your immune system to build its best response.
The bottom line
Vaccination remains one of the most reliable tools we have to protect ourselves and the people around us from serious COVID illness. The official guidance has become noisier, but the evidence is still clear. If you haven’t had a COVID shot since last fall and you are eligible, talk to your trusted clinician about whether now is a good time for you.
If you are not eligible to receive a booster dose now, you can still use other tools in your toolbox to help reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID to others:
😷Masking
🧼Handwashing
🧪Testing if unwell
🏠Staying home when sick
🌬️Good ventilation
🚫Avoiding vulnerable folks if you are feeling under the weather!
Stay safe, stay well, stay nerdy!
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
Resources
Check this link from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for more information on COVID and other vaccine recommendations and formal statements made by medical societies.
CDC – Staying up to date with COVID vaccines [archived link]
CDC – 2025/26 CVOID Vaccination considerations [archived link]
American College of Physicians – COVID-19 Vaccines for 2025–2026 in Adults Who Are Not Pregnant or Immunocompromised: Rapid Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
ACOG – COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care
NHS – A guide to the spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Canada – Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines for 2025 to summer 2026
