If you’re living with heart disease, it’s still important to protect yourself from COVID-19, especially as new variants 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.

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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 heart disease.

2. People With Heart Disease Are at a Higher Risk of Severe COVID-19

COVID-19 affects more than just the lungs. It can trigger inflammation throughout the body and strain your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of serious complications for those with heart disease.

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

• You’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
• You have a condition like coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, or valvular heart disease.
• You take medications that affect your immune response (such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants).
• You have other coexisting conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or obesity.

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. Cardiology Experts Recommend Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) encourages people with heart disease to stay current on COVID-19 vaccinations, especially during treatment or times of increased community spread.

People with cardiovascular disease account for a large share of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and vaccination remains one of the best ways to reduce serious illness and complications.

The ACC and CDC advise:

• Getting the latest booster when eligible — It provides updated protection against circulating variants.
• Coordinating vaccine timing with your heart care plan — For example, spacing the shot away from medication adjustments or procedures.
• Avoiding live vaccines — Fortunately, none of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. are live vaccines.

Some people with heart disease, especially those who are immunocompromised, may need a second dose of the updated vaccine six months after the first. Your doctor can help you decide what’s best.

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 Heart Disease, 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 during a time 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 MyHeartDiseaseTeam, people share their experiences with heart disease, 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.