Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for 2025-2026
The New York State Department of Health has issued COVID-19 vaccination guidance for New Yorkers. COVID-19 vaccines are proven to reduce the risk of severe complications from COVID-19, including hospitalization, death, and long COVID.
These recommendations are supported by leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Anyone 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine in New York State. However, it is especially important for the following groups to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine:
- All adults ages 65 and older
- All children ages 6 to 23 months
- People who are pregnant or recently gave birth
- People of any age who have an underlying condition that increases their risk for severe COVID-19
The following groups should also get vaccinated:
- People at high risk of exposure, such as health care workers and people living or working in a nursing home or other congregate setting
- People living with someone with an underlying condition that increases their risk for severe COVID-19
- People who have never been vaccinated before
You should ask your health care provider or pharmacy if they offer the vaccine and talk to your health care provider if you have questions about whether you should get vaccinated. You should also check with your health insurance plan to make sure COVID-19 vaccinations are covered.
As a safety net provider, the Westchester County Department of Health provides COVID vaccines only for children who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children program and adults who are uninsured or underinsured. If you meet this criteria, you can make an appointment at one of our vaccine clinics by calling (914) 995-5800.
Update Your Vaccines Today
COVID-19 vaccines remain our best protection against COVID-19. Even healthy people can become very sick from COVID-19 and should be vaccinated.
If you get COVID-19, being up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines can reduce your risk of long-term health effects, including long COVID. Even people who have previously had COVID-19 should get vaccinated.
Available Vaccines
Four updated vaccines are available in the US:
- Spikevax (Moderna) — mRNA vaccine for ages 6 months and older
- mNexspike (Moderna) — mRNA vaccine, an updated vaccine with lower dosage for ages 12 and older
- Comirnaty (Pfizer) — mRNA vaccines for ages 5 and older
- Nuvaxnovid (Novavax) — protein-based vaccine for ages 12 and older
You can choose which vaccine to get. Parents can choose for their children as long as the vaccine is approved for their child’s age group. It does not matter which vaccine type you have gotten before. Ask your health care provider or pharmacy if they offer the vaccine and what brands they have available.
Schedule
Most people ages two years and older need just one updated vaccine dose this year.
Children ages 6 months to two years who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 should get two doses of the Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine, four to eight weeks apart. Children who have received a prior dose should get just one Spikevax dose.
If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider waiting three months before getting your next vaccine dose. You may want to get vaccinated sooner if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or getting it again. Talk to your health care provider about when you should get your next vaccine.
Questions?
You can send questions regarding the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine by email to the NY State Department of Health at
Learn More
NYS Executive Order Ensuring All New Yorkers Can Receive the Updated 2025–26 COVID Shot
COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Adolescents
COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant and Lactating People