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Dear CVP and AVP Providers,
Please review the important updates below regarding COVID-19 vaccines.
FDA Approval of Updated Vaccines
On August 27, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025–2026 season manufactured by Moderna, Pfizer, and Sanofi/Novavax. Details are available at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | FDA.
On the same date, the FDA revoked the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted; Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. See Emergency Use Authorization--Archived Information | FDA for details.
Use of 2024–2025 Vaccines
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Children 6m–11y (EUA vaccines): Vaccines with revoked EUAs must no longer be administered.
- Persons 12y+: These products have been delisted effective August 27 by Moderna and Pfizer. Please stop administering the 2024–2025 vaccines.
Disposal of 2024–2025 Vaccines
To reduce administration errors, providers should:
- Remove all 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines from storage, even if unexpired.
- Reconcile 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine inventory in the IIS by categorizing the vaccines as “Spoiled” with the reason noted as “Expired BUD”. Please do not inactivate the lot until submitting the return.
- After reconciling your inventory, complete the online Vaccine Returns process to receive a return label for these doses.
Next Steps
Ordering guidance for 2025–2026 vaccines will be shared as soon as we receive notice from CDC. Please stop administering last season’s vaccines and begin using the new formulation once received.
DOH Commitment
DOH continues to recommend that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant people, stay up to date with the current COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. DOH supports evidence-based COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from trusted national medical associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics for those 6 months-18 years, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology for all pregnant individuals, and the American Academy of Family Physicians for adults 19 years and older.
To support Washington residents in their efforts to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection using the best available science, effective today DOH is issuing a statewide standing order for COVID-19 vaccines. This standing order under the direction of the State Health Officer, authorizes qualified health care professionals to vaccinate individuals aged 6 months and older, including pregnant persons, who do not have contraindications to the vaccine. Please review the standing order and FAQs on the DOH website and share with your networks as appropriate.
Additionally, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson together with Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Governor Tina Kotek of Oregon announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance on September 3, 2025. This regional partnership ensures public health policies continue to support safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust.
We recognize ongoing challenges with vaccine access and provider liability. The barriers to COVID-19 vaccination are complex, and the standing order is just one part of the solution. As we work to minimize barriers, we acknowledge that challenges will remain this respiratory virus season, and many may still experience difficulty accessing vaccines.
DOH is actively monitoring these issues and working toward solutions. Updated resources, including COVID-19 vaccine insurance coverage and billing guidance for Apple Health (Medicaid) and private insurers, are available.
For the latest information, please visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Information For Health Care Providers web page.
Thank you for your patience and collaboration as we navigate this upcoming respiratory season together.
Sincerely,
Washington State Department of Health
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