If you’re living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), staying protected against COVID-19 is still important, especially as new variants continue to spread. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new set of COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated vaccine guidance.

Thanks! You've successfully submitted your vote.

Sign up to view the results!

Continue with Facebook

Continue with Google

Sign up with your email

By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.

Already a Member? Log in

Here’s what you should know about this year’s booster: how it works, who qualifies, and how to make a plan with your care team.

1. New Boosters Target the LP.8.1 Variant This Season

The COVID-19 vaccines are reformulated each year to better match the most commonly circulating virus strains. For the 2025-2026 season, the FDA directed vaccine manufacturers to update their formulas using a monovalent JN.1 lineage, specifically the LP.8.1 strain.

The FDA has approved 2025-2026 booster formulas for:

• Pfizer’s Comirnaty — A messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for people ages 5 to 64 with at least one health condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19, and for all adults 65 and older
• Moderna’s Spikevax — An mRNA vaccine for people ages 6 months to 64 years with a high-risk health condition, and for all adults 65 and older
• Moderna mNexspike — A lower-dose mRNA vaccine for people ages 12 to 64 with a high-risk health condition, and for all adults 65 and older
• Novavax’s Nuvaxovid — An adjuvanted, protein-based vaccine for people ages 12 to 64 with a high-risk health condition, and for all adults 65 and older

How Are the Boosters Different?

The main difference is how they’re made. Pfizer and Moderna use mRNA technology, which gives your cells instructions to make a harmless piece of the virus so your immune system learns to fight it. The Novavax vaccine is protein-based (a more traditional vaccine type). It delivers a purified piece of the virus protein with an adjuvant to boost your immune response.

For most people, any of the three options offers similar protection against severe illness. All are approved for high-risk groups, including people with HIV.

2. People With HIV May Be at Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19

COVID-19 doesn’t just affect the lungs. It can also trigger widespread inflammation and disrupt immune responses throughout the body. For people living with HIV, especially those with low CD4 counts, detectable viral loads, or untreated HIV, this impact can be more serious.

You may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 if:

• You have a weakened immune system — If your CD4 count is low or your HIV is not well controlled, your body may struggle more to fight off infections like COVID-19. This may result from not being on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or from having a detectable viral load.
• You have other health conditions — People with HIV are more likely to also have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, or other conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
• You are not taking HIV medication — Without treatment, HIV weakens your immune system, increasing vulnerability to all infections, including COVID-19.

Can COVID-19 Be Cured?

While most people recover fully from a COVID-19 infection, some develop long COVID, a condition where symptoms persist or reappear weeks or even months after the initial infection. These may include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and joint pain.

There are treatments available for COVID-19, including antiviral medications like nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), remdesivir (Veklury), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio). These treatments work best when started early, ideally within the first few days of symptoms.

Not everyone can take these medications. They may interact with other prescriptions or be unsafe for people with certain health conditions. Your doctor can help determine whether one of these treatments is right for you.

3. Health Experts Agree COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe for People With HIV

Leading health authorities — including the National Institutes of Health — agree that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and strongly recommended for people living with HIV. This applies to everyone, regardless of CD4 count or viral load.

Health experts recommend that people with HIV:

• Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines — People with HIV should follow the latest CDC vaccination guidelines. As of 2025, this may include receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine if you’re due for a dose, depending on your age, risk factors, and last vaccination.
• Understand that the vaccine is not live — All authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. are not live and cannot cause COVID-19. This makes them safe for people with weakened immune systems, including those on HIV treatment.
• Understand that extra doses may be needed if their immune system is weakened — If you have advanced or untreated HIV (including an AIDS diagnosis), you may need an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to boost protection. This is similar to guidance for others who are immunocompromised.
• Talk to their HIV care team — Your provider can help you figure out the best timing for vaccines, especially if you’ve recently started or changed HIV treatment or you have other health challenges.
• Keep taking their HIV medicines as prescribed — There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines interfere with ART, and continuing ART as directed is crucial for your immune health.

Separately, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that people decide whether to get a COVID-19 vaccination based on individual decision-making. This approach is similar to guidance around the annual flu shot: You and your doctor can work together to decide what’s right for you.

4. If You’re Living With HIV, Timing Matters

If you’re considering the updated COVID-19 vaccine, here are important timing steps to talk through with your care team:

• Ask if you qualify based on your age and health history.
• Plan around your treatment cycles. Your doctor may recommend receiving the vaccine when your immune system is more stable.
• Check the timing of your last COVID-19 dose. The updated booster should be given at least two months after your most recent shot.

You can also add extra layers of protection by:

• Wearing a high-quality mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces
• Practicing frequent and thorough hand-washing
• Improving ventilation by opening windows or using air filters
• Testing right away if you have symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed

These added steps help lower your risk during treatment weeks or in high-risk situations.

5. Your Doctor Can Help Personalize Your Plan

Every person’s journey is different, and so is their COVID-19 risk. Your care team can help you figure out:

• When to get the updated vaccine
• How it fits into your treatment schedule
• What precautions make the most sense for your lifestyle and health goals

Bringing the FDA guidance with you to your next doctor visit can be helpful. It gives you and your provider a starting point to talk about timing, eligibility, and any questions you may have.

6. Most Insurance Plans Cover COVID-19 Boosters

If the CDC recommends a COVID-19 booster for you, most insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance, will cover it at no cost. This includes the updated vaccines for the 2025-2026 season. Coverage generally applies as long as the shot is given by a provider in your insurance network.

That said, plan details can vary. Call your insurance provider or check your plan’s website to confirm coverage and avoid any surprises. If you don’t have medical insurance, free COVID-19 vaccines may still be available through public health clinics or federal programs.

Find Your Team

On myHIVteam, people share their experiences with HIV, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What influenced your choice to get — or not get — the new COVID-19 booster? Let others know in the comments below.