2025 COVID Vaccines
2025 COVID Vaccines
2025 COVID vaccines will be arriving in our office soon! Scheduling will open on Sept 5th, for appointments starting the week of Sept 15th.
The 2025-26 Fall season is here, and we know that there may be confusion regarding COVID vaccine availability and access this year. Sunset is committed to providing the clearest communication we can to help your family navigate and make the best decision for your child. Please see below some important information regarding COVID vaccines this season.
Who is eligible for the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine?
For the first time, the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) and the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) differ in their recommendations on who is eligible for the 2025-2026 COVID vaccine.
The ACIP recommends vaccination for those 65 and older and for children 6mo and older with an underlying condition that puts them at severe risk for severe COVID infection.
The AAP recommends all children 6 months to 23 months and those 2 and older that have an underlying condition receive the vaccine. For children without an underlying condition, the AAP recommends that anyone who desires the vaccine should receive it has long as “shared decision making” with a health care professional has occurred.
**Please see the list of underlying conditions that the CDC and AAP list that increase the risk of severe COVID infection below.
What is “shared decision making”
This refers to a collaborative process where patients and healthcare professionals work together to make healthcare decisions, taking into account both medical evidence and the patient’s individual values, preferences, and circumstances.
Will the COVID vaccine be covered by insurance?
In short, we are not sure. Historically, insurance companies are required to cover vaccines that are recommended by the ACIP. If your child has an underlying condition, this may improve the likelihood that the vaccine will be covered but we cannot guarantee this. That is why we are asking all patients to sign a financial waiver prior to receiving the vaccine. We will submit all vaccine charges to the insurance company that you designate prior to assessing an out of pocket cost to you.
Can my child get the COVID vaccine at a pharmacy?
Our understanding is that children age 3 and older MAY be able to receive the vaccine at participating pharmacies. However, these may require a prescription that would require you to have a visit with a healthcare professional to document that shared decision making was involved. The same risk of insurance denial exists with pharmacies despite a prescription.
Which COVID-19 vaccine will Sunset Pediatrics administer?
The Pfizer COVID-19 2025-2026 was not approved for children under the age of 5. For ease of storage and administration, Sunset Pediatrics will only carry the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for the 2025-2026 period.
How many COVID vaccines will my child need to be fully immunized?
Based on recommendations from the AAP:
- All children 6 months to 23 months who have an incomplete primary series (2 moderna vaccines, or 3 Pfizer vaccines) will require 2 Moderna vaccines at a minimum of 4 weeks apart.
- All children 6 months to 23 months that have completed a primary series will only require a single dose of the 2025-2026 Moderna vaccine.
- All children 2 and older, regardless of previous immunization status for COVID, will require a single dose of the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Can adults get the COVID-19 vaccine at Sunset Pediatrics?
Unfortunately, due to the increased restrictions of eligibility and need to document shared decision making, we are unable to offer the vaccine to anyone who is not a patient of Sunset Pediatrics.
Can my child get the COVID and Flu vaccine at the same time?
We understand the convenience of receiving both vaccines at the same time and we will do our best to accommodate this request, however due to staffing resources and the increased requirements for shared decision making documentation for COVID we may at times ask you family to schedule 2 different appointments. We thank you for your understanding.
Can my child get the COVID vaccine at the Flu Drive Thru?
Unfortunately due to the increased documentation requirements among other challenges we cannot offer the COVID vaccine at the Flu clinic drive thru. All COVID vaccines will need to be scheduled in our office.
When and how can I schedule an appointment?
Scheduling for COVID vaccines will open on Friday Sept 5th on our patient portal or by calling our office. Appointments will be available starting the week of Sept 15th. Patients scheduled for Well Visits on the 15th or later will be able to receive the vaccine in their regularly scheduled Well Visit. If you would like to schedule a vaccine only visit please do so on our patient portal or by calling our office starting on Friday Sept 5th.
**COVID-19 risk factors for severe illness
- Asthma
- Chronic lung disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Feeding tube dependent
- Chronic liver disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- BMI > 95th percentile
- Cerebral palsy
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual developmental disorder
- Autism
- Compromised mobility (wheelchair dependent)
- Immunodeficient
- Asplenic
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Mental health conditions
- Mood disorder such as depression
- Attention deficit disorder