2025 proved to be a dynamic year for vaccine innovation, marked by scientific breakthroughs, notable regulatory progress, and meaningful movement across the global immunization landscape. From major updates in long-standing vaccine recommendations to the arrival of new technologies shaping how vaccines are developed, delivered, and distributed, the past year underscored just how quickly the field of vaccinology continues to evolve.
Both in the U.S. and around the world, these advancements are expanding access to preventative care and strengthening the systems that support population health. As researchers, public health leaders, and healthcare organizations digest the lessons of the past 12 months, one thing is clear: the momentum built in 2025 is laying the groundwork for another year of scientific advancement and practical progress.
Here's our round-up of the major recommendation changes, industry updates, and scientific innovations setting the tone for 2026.
Navigating New Paths for Immunization
Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issues updated recommendations that shape the nation’s vaccination schedule. These updates—covering core vaccines such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), MMRV, influenza, and hepatitis B—play a critical role in guiding routine care, informing clinical decision-making, and preparing communities ahead of respiratory illness season. The 2025 recommendations were no exception, offering new direction for providers and patients as they navigate an increasingly complex immunization landscape.
Here's a closer look at the latest guidance:
COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, with a single seasonal dose given each year. Adults aged 65 years and older and individuals 6 months–64 years with moderate or severe immunocompromise are advised to receive an additional dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages providers to assess each patient’s individual risk factors and discuss the benefits of vaccination accordingly.
RSV. RSV vaccination is recommended for all adults aged 75 and above, and adults ages 50-74 who face an increased risk for severe illness. To protect infants against severe RSV, CDC and ACIP recommend a maternal vaccine be administered during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy. Infants whose mothers did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy and children 8-19 months who face an increased risk of severe illness should also receive the vaccine.
MMRV. Routine vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella is recommended for all children, available as separate MMR and varicella vaccines or the combination MMRV vaccine, with the first dose given between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years. For the first dose, the ACIP recommends children 12 months through 3 years be immunized for varicella and MMR separately. The combined MMRV vaccine can be administered as a second dose for children 4 and up.
Flu. All individuals aged 6 months and older should receive a routine influenza vaccination for the 2025-2026 season.
Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all infants at birth, unvaccinated children below 19, adults aged 19 to 59, and adults 60 and older with risk factors or who wish to be protected.
But the year’s progress didn’t stop with official guidance. Breakthrough research and emerging technologies are reshaping what’s possible in vaccine development. Scientists at MIT have engineered a new delivery particle that could enhance mRNA vaccine performance while reducing the cost per dose—an advancement with wide-ranging implications for global vaccination strategies. Meanwhile, a team at Imperial College London is exploring “all-in-one” coronavirus vaccines designed to protect against a broad spectrum of COVID-19 variants and related viruses, potentially mitigating future pandemic-level threats.
Researchers also uncovered promising connections between mRNA vaccination and improved responses to certain cancer immunotherapies, suggesting a new frontier at the intersection of infectious disease prevention and oncology. Together, these developments highlight how scientific ingenuity continues to expand the horizons of immunization, offering new pathways to protect public health in the years ahead.
Atlantic Health Partners will continue to serve as a trusted resource for vaccine information, sharing timely updates on new indications, updated fact sheets, available options, and evolving guidance to support informed decision-making.
Increasing Uptake, Access, and Opportunity
In 2025, boosting vaccine coverage remained a top priority for scientists, vaccine developers, and healthcare providers alike. While the year brought important scientific progress, it also underscored a familiar reality: innovation only matters if communities can access the vaccines available to them with timely, reliable guidance from providers.
Shifts in national vaccination rates—paired with a significant measles outbreak—highlighted the pressing need for strong, consistent immunization across all age groups in the U.S. These events reinforced how quickly gaps in coverage can lead to public health consequences, and they emphasized the critical role that providers play in interpreting and communicating up-to-date vaccine guidance. With ongoing changes to the nation’s vaccine advisory process, the provider-patient relationship has become even more essential in ensuring timely and reliable information reaches the people who need it most.
Globally, 2025 also brought encouraging momentum for vaccine equity. An international research team led by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that vaccination can bolster economic resilience for low-income families by reducing preventable medical costs—helping narrow financial inequality in vulnerable communities. In West Africa, Ghana Health Services, working in partnership with Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, launched the country’s first nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, offering free vaccinations to millions of girls ages 9 to 14. This initiative marked a major step forward in expanding access to lifesaving preventive care.
Yet broadening vaccine equity and uptake is an ongoing pursuit. For 2026, the questions remain: How can providers close the adult vaccination coverage gap, ensure patients receive vaccines on time, and maintain momentum in the face of shifting public attitudes and operational hurdles? How can providers continue to ensure their pediatric and adolescent patients are vaccinated against preventable diseases? At Atlantic Health Partners, we’re committed to helping healthcare organizations navigate these changes, strengthen their vaccine strategy, and deliver comprehensive immunization programs that support healthier communities.
Protecting Community Health in the New Year
Looking ahead, 2026 is already shaping up to be another pivotal year for vaccines and immunization strategy. Scientific discovery, evolving public health needs, and shifting guidance will continue to influence how providers deliver preventative care and keep communities safe. As the nation’s leading vaccine buying group, Atlantic is committed to helping our members stay ahead of these changes. We remain focused on monitoring industry developments, supporting informed vaccine purchasing decisions, and equipping practices with the tools they need to best serve their patients.
Thank you for being part of the AHP community. Empowering our members to expand vaccination access and strengthen immunization for patients of all ages has always been our mission. We look forward to supporting you in 2026 and beyond.