DHS Issues Statewide Standing Order to Improve Access to 2025–2026 COVID-19 Vaccine for Wisconsinites
This message is being sent to Health Alert Network (HAN) recipients, Wisconsin vaccinators, local public health nurses, and local public health department staff.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a statewide standing medical order to ensure the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine is available to all Wisconsinites 6 months and older who want the vaccine, in alignment with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Background
On August 27, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated 2025–2026 vaccine for those 65 years and older and those under 65 who have high risk conditions, conflicting with previous recommendations issued by the CDC and the nation’s leading medical organizations who recommend the vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.
Typically, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides recommendations for the COVID vaccine in the summer, but the ACIP has not yet made a recommendation for 2025–2026 COVID vaccines. The next ACIP meeting is currently scheduled for September 18–19, 2025.
DHS has issued a standing order for the COVID-19 vaccine based recommendations issued by the AAP, ACOG, and AAFP, and is monitoring ACIP decisions and their impact on the availability the vaccine through federally-funded vaccine programs, and any impact on private insurance coverage.
2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine availability
Privately purchased vaccine is starting to be shipped. DHS does not have access to quantities or status of these orders.
Commercially available 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccines include:
COMIRNATY:
- 10 mcg formulation for use in individuals 5 years through 11 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
- 30 mcg formulation for use in individuals who are 65 years of age and older, or 12 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
SPIKEVAX:
- 0.25 mL formulation for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
- 0.5 mL formulation for individuals who are 65 years of age and older, or 12 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
mNEXSPIKE:
- 0.2 mL formulation for individuals who are 65 years of age and older, or 12 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
NUVAXOVID
- 0.5 mL formulation for individuals who are 65 years of age and older, or 12 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Federal program availability:
The 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) or Vaccines for Adults (VFA) programs. Availability through these programs is dependent on an ACIP recommendation and resolution to include in the VFC program. However, children who are covered by Medicare can get a COVID-19 vaccine through the Medicare program.
Wisconsin Medicaid will also continue to cover the COVID-19 vaccine for eligible Medicaid members, including children and individuals who are pregnant. All governmental self-funded and fully insured group health plans and individual health plans regulated by the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance are also expected to cover, without cost sharing, all costs associated with administration of COVID-19 vaccinations for all policyholders pursuant to their bulletin. Anyone with questions regarding payment of coverage of COVID-19 vaccines should contact their health insurer.
Recommendations for health care providers and vaccinators
COVID-19 can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and death. To reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, DHS encourages health care providers to vaccinate eligible individuals in alignment with the recommendations of AAP, ACOG, and AAFP.
DHS recommends that all individuals be screened for contraindications and precautions prior to vaccination, and that the vaccine be administered according to the package instructions.
Vaccination should be documented in the patient’s medical record and the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Any adverse events should be reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
We appreciate your continued partnership to ensure children and adults are up to date on all their recommended vaccinations to protect our communities from vaccine preventable diseases.
We will continue to share any vaccine recommendation updates with you.
Resources
AAP Child and Adolescent Vaccine Schedule
ACOG COVID-19 recommendations in pregnancy
AAFP Immunization Schedules
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