With FDA’s new guidance on COVID vaccines, can I still get the shot in Kansas?
With federal agencies rolling back vaccine research, access and more under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kansans seeking this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine might face new restrictions and challenges getting the shot.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the 2025-26 vaccine for use, but for a narrower pool of Americans. The authorized emergency use for previous COVID vaccines, including Moderna and Pfizer, has also been rescinded.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment echoed those changes in an Aug. 27 press release, stating the new COVID vaccines are only approved for certain groups.
“The updated 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccines are approved for individuals 65 years of age and older, and for those 6 months through 64 years with certain underlying conditions,” the press release reads.
The 2024-25 COVID vaccines are no longer authorized to be administered, the press release says.
People who do not fall into those categories can still get the vaccine with a prescription from their health care provider.
While the FDA changed its guidance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not decided if it should change its recommendations. The agency currently recommends anyone older than 17 get the vaccine and for parents of children from 6 months to 17 to consult with their primary care doctor. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet this week.
Several organizations continue to recommend routine vaccination to those younger than 65, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
COVID vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in fighting the virus, especially when it comes to avoiding severe side effects and hospital stays. Most private insurance covers the vaccination, as do some Medicare and Medicaid plans. Contact your insurance provider to see if your plan requires a co-pay.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s vaccine dashboard, only 11.2% of Kansans received last year’s COVID vaccine. The state does not report specific COVID case counts anymore, but did report 10.6% of emergency department visits the week of Sept. 7 to 13 were for all respiratory viruses. Of those, 0.8% of cases that same week were confirmed to be COVID-19, according to the state’s dashboard.
Where can I get my COVID vaccine in Sedgwick County or Wichita?
Nicole Gibbs, director of strategic communications with Sedgwick County, said the county is still awaiting CDC and ACIP’s recommendations in regard to this year’s COVID vaccine.
Local health officials have consistently advocated for vaccinations.
“Yes, we can still get COVID [with the vaccine], but with being up-to-date with vaccines it really reduces chances for severe cases,” Sedgwick County Health Department Director Adrienne Byrne told The Eagle in a 2024 interview.
The Wichita Eagle checked the CVS and Walgreens online schedule portals for Wichita locations, and both said eligibility requirements will have to be met in order to receive the updated vaccination. However, a spokesperson for CVS told The Eagle in an email that the pharmacy can still offer COVID vaccines to the public without doctor approval.
You can make an appointment for vaccines through CVS online.
This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM.
