CDC Opens COVID-19 Vaccine Ordering for the 2025–2026 Season

Washington State Department of Health sent this bulletin at 10/06/2025 03:47 PM PDT

Office of Immunization Header

Dear CVP and AVP Providers, and Immunization Partners,

Great news! The CDC has officially opened COVID-19 vaccine ordering for the 2025–2026 season. The Washington State Department of Health's Office of Immunization (OI) has completed pre-ordering with providers, and we are ready to proceed. Providers should begin to receive vaccine within a week.

The purpose of this message is to provide you with the details you need for ordering COVID-19 vaccine during the season. Please review the information below carefully.

Vaccine Ordering Guidance and Reminders

  • For the Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP): Choose one brand of COVID-19 vaccine per age group.
    • All vaccines will appear in your order set, but you must select only one product for each age range.
    • Refer to the 2025–2026 State-Supplied COVID-19 Vaccines At-A-Glance guide to determine the best product for your facility.
    • Providers enrolled in the WA State Childhood Vaccine Program are required to carry and offer COVID-19 vaccines for the population they serve. We expect all providers to have COVID-19 vaccine available. 

  • The Adult Vaccine Program is offering the Moderna Spikevax product only. Eligibility is limited to uninsured adults 19y+.

  • Ordering schedule:
    • Initially, orders will be processed weekly on Thursdays. Daily processing will occur once sufficient supply is available.
    • Orders must be in “Pending State Approval” status in the IIS by close of business Wednesday.
    • Please allow at least 3 days for accountability checks and order approval.

  • Individual order limits:
    • Orders will be approved for up to 50% of the doses administered in the same month last year.
    • New providers or those without prior administration data will be capped at 50 doses.
    • If supply is limited, orders will be reduced based on the Vaccine Allocation Plan.

  • Flexible ordering: Respiratory product orders can be placed anytime and as often as needed.

  • Best practices:
    • Place smaller, more frequent orders to reduce waste.
    • Order only what can be used within:
      • 4–6 weeks for Pfizer and Moderna
      • 2 weeks for Sanofi/Novavax

Shelf Life and Storage Expectations

  • Moderna: Initial dating 3–6 months; may shorten as the season progresses.
  • Pfizer:
    • 12y+ doses: Refrigerated, ≥12 weeks shelf life.
    • 5–11y doses: Ultracold, ≥3 months shelf life (when stored ultracold).
    • Shelf life may be shorter later in the season.
  • Sanofi/Novavax: Expiry December 31, 2025. Sanofi is working with FDA on a shelf-life extension.

Helpful Resources

Thank you for your patience and continued partnership in protecting Washington communities from respiratory diseases. Your work is essential to ensuring equitable access to vaccines across our state.

Warm regards,

Office of Immunization
Washington State Department of Health