As respiratory season approaches, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) is sharing the following updates to support you with timely and evidence-based information on immunizations:
COVID-19:
- Vaccination is recommended for:
- All children 6 to 23 months of age.
- Individuals 2 to 64 years of age who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19, including pregnant or lactating women.
- Individuals 2 to 64 years of age who desire additional protection from COVID-19, based on considerations of the risks and benefits of vaccination.
- All adults 65 years of age and older.
- Products and dosing vary by age; follow manufacturer-specific guidance on primary series and booster eligibility. Children previously vaccinated should remain up to date with the most recent age-appropriate product.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
- Immunization is recommended for:
- Infants less than 8 months of age entering their first RSV season between October 1 and March 31. Both Clesrovimab (Beyfortus) and Nirsevimab (Enflonsia) are approved for children under 8 months old.
- Certain high-risk children 8 to 19 months of age entering their second RSV season. Nirsevimab is the only approved product for those older than 8 months of age.
- Pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation between September 1 through January 31. ABRYSVO by Pfizer is approved for this population.
- Adults 50 to 74 years of age who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease.
- Adults 75 years of age and older.
- Adults should receive a single dose of RSV vaccine; no boosters are currently recommended. Adults who received RSV vaccine last year do not need to be revaccinated.
Influenza:
- Annual vaccination is recommended for all children 6 months and older.
- Children 6 months through 8 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time should receive 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart.
- Only single-dose, preservative-free influenza vaccines will be distributed for the 2025-2026 season, as multi-dose vials have been discontinued.
Vaccine Ordering and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
COVID-19: The Kentucky Department for Public Health expects the VFC program to have COVID-19 vaccines available for order soon for enrolled providers. An update announcement will be shared with all enrolled providers once ordering is available. All brands of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines are available to order through private purchase. This includes Moderna’s SPIKEVAX and MNEXSPIKE, Pfizer’s COMIRNATY and Sanofi’s NUVAXOVID.
RSV: The VFC program has Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) RSV monoclonal antibody available for order now in both 50mg and 100mg presentations. The VFC program has Pfizer’s ABRYSVO available for maternal administration for those eligible 18 years of age and younger. Clesrovimab (Enflonsia) will be available for order beginning October 2, 2025. Both Pfizer’s ABRYSVO and GSK’s AREXVY are available for order through the 317 Adult Vaccine Program for enrolled providers.
Influenza: VFC providers who prebooked influenza doses are receiving their requested amounts in stages as doses become available. Once the prebooked orders have been fulfilled, ordering will be made available for additional amounts as needed.
Pharmacies are a crucial point of access for immunizations in Kentucky. COVID-19, RSV and influenza vaccinations are available in many commercial pharmacies without a prescription. Many pharmacy locations can vaccinate individuals ages five years and older.
For additional information on current vaccine recommendations, please visit:
- American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule;
- The American Academy of Family Physicians’ immunization schedules for children and adults; and
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations for immunizations during pregnancy.