2025-2026 COVID Vaccine Update

  • The FDA's recent announcement regarding eligibility is causing a lot of confusion for our families.
    • Especially those who want their children to receive the 2025-2026 COVID vaccine.
  • To help clear things up, we've put together an article explaining the current situation.

2025-2026 Moderna COVID Vaccine Eligibility

  • In late August 2025, the FDA approved the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID vaccine, but did so with restricted eligibility.
    • In previous years, there were no restrictions on eligibility.
      • Anyone 6 months and older could receive the Moderna COVID vaccine, regardless of:
        • That person's risk level
        • The need to have participated in "shared clinical decision making" with a healthcare provider.
    • This year's restricted eligibility means that only the following people are automatically eligible.
      • Individuals 6 months and older with at least one high-risk health condition (like asthma, diabetes, obesity, or heart disease).

Children Without High-Risk Health Conditions

    • Modern Pediatrics aligns our recommendations with those of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which are as follows:

      • Age 6 to 23 months

        • The AAP recommends that all children in this age group receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
      • Age 2 to 18 years
        • The AAP recommends a single dose of the updated vaccine if they have a high-risk condition, live in a congregate setting, are unvaccinated, or live with someone who is at high risk.
        • Parental choice: The AAP emphasizes that the vaccine should be available for any child aged 2 years to 18 years whose parent or guardian wishes for them to have vaccine protection, regardless of their risk factors.
    • Because our recommendations align with those of the AAP, if you want your child to receive the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID vaccine, we support your decision and will do everything necessary to help facilitate that for you.
      • If you have questions about the risks and benefits of giving your child the COVID vaccine, simply send us a message, and our providers will be happy to help!
  • We fully expect private health insurance will cover the cost of the Moderna COVID vaccine for you and your family.
    • However, we will only know for sure once the first vaccines have been given, and the various insurance carriers have been billed.
      • ETA for the updated Moderna COVID vaccines is the week of Monday, September 9.
      • We expect to have more definitive answers by the end of following week.
    • Please note, this is how it happens every year.
      • We only know for sure that insurance will pay for an updated vaccine after the vaccine has been given, insurance has been billed, and insurance has reimbursed the vaccinating clinic.

Where to Get the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID Vaccine in Austin

  • Unlike previous years, children younger than 14 years old must have a prescription in order to receive the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID vaccine at a pharmacy.
    • Children 14 years and older do not need a prescription.
  • The Austin pharmacies listed below have standing prescriptions on file for all Modern Pediatrics patients age 6 months - 14 years.
  • Texas Children's Pediatrics Clinics
    • Do not have standing prescriptions for Modern Pediatrics on file
      • Message us with a request and the specific location, and we will send the prescription.
        • Locations: Multiple
        • Scheduling: click here

Where to Get the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID Vaccine in Dallas

  • If you elect to get your child the Moderna COVID vaccine, the pharmacy will need a prescription from us.
    • Please text us and we will send a prescription to the pharmacy
  • Currently, there is only one pharmacy in Dallas administering the COVID vaccine to children on an elective basis.
    • Syed Pharmacy
    • Location:18484 Preston Road, Ste. 300 Dallas, TX, 75252
    • Scheduling: Visits are available from 9AM-5PM, please call to schedule
    • Note: The pharmacy encourages you to schedule on Thursdays and Fridays when a NP will be on site to administer the vaccines.
    • Cost: $135. The pharmacy will not be processing the vaccines through insurance.
    • Contact: 469-206-2078
  • If you identify another pharmacy in Dallas that will be able to administer the Moderna COVID vaccine and would like your child to receive it there, please let us know and we will send over a prescription.

What About the 2025-2026 Pfizer COVID Vaccine?

  • The above information regarding the 2025-2026 Moderna COVID vaccine is the same for the Pfizer vaccine, except:
    • The restricted eligibility for Pfizer means it is only available for people 5 years and older.
    • We do not currently have information regarding where to obtain the 2025-2026 Pfizer COVID vaccine.