COVID-19

Updated December 18, 2025

ACOEM continues to follow the latest information related to COVID-19 and will update as necessary.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 2025‐2026 COVID‐19 vaccine for most adults ages 18 and older.1

It is especially important for individuals to get the 2025–2026 COVID‐19 vaccine if they:

  • Never received a COVID‐19 vaccine,

  • Are 65 years and older,

  • Are at high risk for severe COVID‐19,2

  • Are living in a long‐term care facility,

  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future, or

  • Want to lower the risk of getting Long COVID.

In addition to the CDC’s recommendations, several organizations have developed the following guidelines. These recommendations are intended for adults (18 years and older).

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

AAFP recommends vaccinating:3

  • Pregnant individuals against COVID‐19 during any trimester or postpartum during lactation

  • All adults 18 years and older, with an emphasis on adults aged 65 years and older, at increased risk for severe COVID‐19 infection, and who have never received a COVID‐19 vaccine.

Use the CDC’s “Underlying Conditions and the Higher Risk for Severe COVID‐19” as a guide for identifying who is in a high‐risk category (Feb 2025)

  • AAFP considers healthcare workers at high risk due to their occupational exposure

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG)

  • Recommends that all pregnant and lactating individuals receive an updated COVID‐19 vaccine or “booster”4

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

  • COVID‐19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.5,6,7,8,9,10,11 The COVID‐19 vaccines were developed in a step‐by‐step process. COVID‐19 vaccines went through the same types of clinical trials as other vaccines, including large studies where volunteers were randomly given the vaccine or a placebo so scientists could safely and accurately measure how well the vaccines worked.

  • For a new drug or vaccine to receive full FDA approval, the agency must review extensive evidence showing it is safe and effective, inspect the manufacturing facilities, and evaluate all clinical trial data along with real‐world evidence from its use. This same rigorous process was applied to the COVID‐19 vaccines, which underwent full FDA review once enough trial results and real‐world safety data were available.

  • Ongoing peer‐reviewed evidence supports the safety of immunizations against COVID‐19.12

  • Multiple immunizations, including COVID‐19, Flu, and RSV vaccines, can be given during the same appointment. This approach is commonly used in both adults and children.

COVID-19 Vaccine Benefits

  • Receiving a COVID‐19 vaccine is a safe way to build protection against the disease. COVID‐19 can have serious, life‐threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID‐19 will affect you. mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines give cells instructions to make a harmless piece of the protein. This helps the body learn to recognize it and build antibodies and protection without getting sick, lowering the chances of severe illness if exposed.

  • COVID‐19 vaccines remain our most important tool to reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

  • An annual COVID‐19 immunization restores the protection of vaccines that fades over time, boosting the body’s defenses again. Updated vaccines have been designed to protect against recent variants.

  • Adverse heart events (heart attack, strokes, etc., including myocarditis) were significantly lower after infection among vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals.13

  • The COVID‐19 vaccine not only has individual benefits, but it also has benefits for the overall workplace. The more employees who are up‐to‐date with their vaccinations, the better protected the overall workforce is. Keeping the workforce healthy will help drive operational efficiencies.

  • Not only does the vaccine help prevent infection, but it can also reduce the severity of symptoms, viral burden, and transmission risk if infected. Vaccination may prevent long COVID symptoms. Reducing the severity of infection through vaccination lowers the risk of developing long COVID.

  • If a patient thinks they have any type of respiratory infection, they should get tested for all three viruses.

COVID-19 Vaccine Availability and Getting the Shot

  • The COVID-19 vaccine is available in doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. Be sure to make an appointment to receive the vaccinations. An appointment may be required to receive a vaccine shot. If a patient does not have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk, they may need a prescription from a medical provider to receive the vaccine depending on where they live.

  • As of September 2025, major health insurance companies announced that most plans would continue covering updated COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing through the end of 2026. 

  • Before receiving the vaccine, patients will be screened for any contraindications to make sure it is safe to get the shot.

  • Though rare, allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported. If this occurs, vaccination providers can effectively and immediately treat anaphylaxis. If you have concerns about your medical condition(s) and receiving the vaccine, consult with your healthcare provider.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

For additional questions, consult with your healthcare provider.

Updated December 18, 2025

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  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults ages 18 and older. It is especially important to get your 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine if you never received a COVID-19 vaccine; are ages 65 years and older; are at high risk for severe COVID-19; are living in a long-term care facility; are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future; or want to lower your risk of getting Long COVID.

  • The benefits of preventing a COVID-19 infection outweigh the risks of the vaccine. The vaccine protects you from getting COVID-19 and is considered a safe way to build protection against the disease. By getting vaccinated, you are helping to protect yourself, your family, and friends. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you or your loved ones. If you are exposed to the virus, the vaccine may prevent serious illness and death.

  • As with many vaccines, many people do not experience any side effects. Among those who experience symptoms, the most common is pain or swelling at the site of the injection. Some people may experience fevers, chills, fatigue, or headache. Side effects should only last a few days. There are very rare descriptions of serious side effects, including heart inflammation mostly in adolescent boys, which usually resolves completely.

  • Yes. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. Receiving the vaccine when you have already had COVID-19 significantly enhances your immune protection and further reduces your risk of reinfection. For anyone who has been infected with COVID-19, their next dose may be delayed 3 months from when symptoms started or, if they did not have symptoms, when they received a positive test. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about the timing of your vaccination.

  • COVID-19 vaccines help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Unvaccinated individuals are more likely to get COVID-19 and much more likely to be hospitalized and die from COVID-19 and develop Long COVID, compared to individuals who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

  • You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same visit.

  • Yes. All pregnant and lactating individuals may receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Safety data have been collected for years for all authorized vaccines. It is unusual for vaccine side effects to appear more  than 6 weeks after vaccination. Vaccines do not generally have long-term side effects and there is no reason to believe the COVID-19 vaccine will be an exception. Side effects and adverse events can be reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

  • As of September 2025, major health insurance announced that most plans would continue covering updated COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing through the end of 2026.

  • Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a vaccine for use only if there are enough data to suggest that it is safe and effective; this is after clinical trials have been conducted with thousands of people of various ages, races, and ethnicities and when the benefits outweigh risks. Every study and every phase of every trial was carefully reviewed and approved by a safety board and the FDA. The process was transparent and rigorous, with continual oversight and expert approval. The FDA will continue to monitor and oversee vaccine production to ensure all safety protocols are followed.

    The FDA, World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC also collect and analyze information from reports of any side effects that may occur after a vaccine has been licensed.

  • The COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective against serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. Severe outcomes and deaths have been experienced in either the unvaccinated and/or severely immunocompromised individuals. There are instances where someone has died from contracting COVID-19 after being vaccinated, but this highlights the importance of herd immunity.

    1. ‍The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Practice Advisory: COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care. October 2025. Available at: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/covid-19-vaccination-considerations-for-obstetric-gynecologic-care.

    2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. November 19, 2025. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. ‍

    3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors. June 11, 2025. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html.

    4. Cavanaugh AM, Spicer KB, Thoroughman D, Glick C, Winter K. Reduced Risk of Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 After COVID-19 Vaccination — Kentucky, May–June 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1081-1083. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7032e1.

    5. Scott J, Bers MS, Marwah HK, et al. Updated evidence for COVID-19, RSV, and influenza vaccines for 2025-2026. New Engl J Med. 2025;393:2221-42. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa2514268.

    6. UpToDate®. Patient Education: COVID-19 Overview (The Basics). Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/covid-19-overview-the-basics.

    7. World Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization: Vaccine safety. September 23, 2025. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-vaccine-safety#:~:text=Vaccines%20are%20very%20safe.,are%20possible%20but%20extremely%20rare.

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Other Vaccine Information