The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently published rapid practice points regarding 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines for adults. These updates target individuals who are not pregnant or immunocompromised. Consequently, clinicians must understand these guidelines to provide evidence-based care during the upcoming respiratory virus season. The recommendations emerge from a rigorous review of epidemiological data and comparative effectiveness studies. Notably, the committee focused on the impact of Omicron-adapted formulations on hospitalization and severe disease outcomes.
Guidelines for Using 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines
The ACP Population Health and Medical Science Committee developed three primary practice points. Furthermore, these points emphasize the transition toward annual seasonal updates. Clinicians should prioritize the following strategies for the 2025-2026 cycle:
Practice Point 1: Clinicians should offer the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine to all adults aged 18 years and older. Specifically, patients should receive the vaccine that targets currently circulating variants, such as the LP.8.1 or JN.1 strains. This approach ensures that the immune response remains robust against evolving viral lineages.
Practice Point 2: Both mRNA vaccines and adjuvanted protein-based vaccines remain effective options. Although some data suggests mRNA platforms elicit a faster immune response, protein-based alternatives provide a valuable choice for patients who prefer traditional technology. Consequently, clinicians can support patient autonomy while maintaining high levels of community protection.
Practice Point 3: Vaccination efforts should especially target adults aged 65 and older. Additionally, those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease face a higher risk of severe outcomes. While healthy younger adults benefit from vaccination, the absolute risk reduction is most significant in older populations.
Effectiveness and Safety of the New Formulations
The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate continued success in preventing hospitalizations. Recent surveillance data indicates that updated boosters provide approximately 50% additional protection over older formulations. However, this protection tends to wane after six months. Therefore, timing the vaccination before peak winter transmission remains a critical strategy for healthcare providers. Moreover, the safety profile of these vaccines continues to be highly reassuring.
Regarding safety, the risk of rare adverse events like myocarditis remains extremely low in the general adult population. Furthermore, clinical studies show that the risk of cardiac complications from a COVID-19 infection far exceeds the risk associated with vaccination. Because the benefits of preventing severe disease outweigh the potential harms, the ACP supports universal adult access to the 2025-2026 formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which variants do the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines target?
The mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax) are designed to target the LP.8.1 Omicron strain. In contrast, the protein-based Novavax vaccine targets the JN.1 strain, which is a close relative of circulating variants.
Q2: How many doses are recommended for healthy adults?
For most adults who have previously completed a primary series, a single dose of the updated 2025-2026 vaccine is sufficient. This dose should ideally be administered at least two months after the previous COVID-19 vaccination.
Q3: Does the ACP recommend one vaccine brand over another?
No, the ACP does not express a preference. Both mRNA and protein-based vaccines are considered effective. Clinicians should offer whichever formulation is available and aligns with the patient’s medical history or preference.
References
- Qaseem A et al. COVID-19 Vaccines for 2025-2026 in Adults Who Are Not Pregnant or Immunocompromised: Rapid Practice Points From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-05026. PMID: 41730216.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance. CDC official surveillance reports. 2025.
- Hansen CH et al. Comparative effectiveness of Omicron-adapted COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic literature review and network meta-analysis. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2025;24(1):416-432.