COVID-19: Most-Read Stories of 2025

The landscape of COVID-19 shifted from a unified public health front to a complex web of regional restrictions and individual choices in 2025. As federal agencies diverged and pandemic fatigue hit record highs, the burden of clarity fell on local providers and patients alike.

Here are the most-read COVID-19 stories from Drug Topics in 2025.

CVS, Walgreens Will Limit COVID-19 Vaccine Offerings in 16 States

In September, major pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens announced new restrictions on COVID-19 vaccine availability across 16 states, requiring prescriptions for many patients who even met the latest FDA criteria. While CVS opted out of offering the vaccine entirely in Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico, other states decided to only provide immunizations to those with provider referrals or specific high-risk conditions.

This shift came amid growing confusion for the 2025-2026 respiratory season as recommendations from organizations like the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have begun to diverge. Public health experts expressed concern that these barriers and conflicting guidelines may increase vaccine hesitancy and complicate access for vulnerable populations.

COVID-19 Infection During First Trimester Increases Risk of Neonatal Risks

A large-scale study of over 322,000 pregnant women revealed that COVID-19 infection during the first trimester significantly increases neonatal risks, specifically a 25% higher risk of preterm birth and 50% higher odds of a low 5-minute Apgar score. While overall impacts on birth outcomes across all trimesters were limited, these early-pregnancy infections were linked to long-term neurological disabilities and infectious morbidity.

The research also highlights critical public health disparities: women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and specific minority groups—such as those of Moroccan origin—were significantly less likely to be tested but had notably higher positivity rates when they were. Experts emphasized that these findings underscore the need for targeted vaccination strategies prior to pregnancy to protect fetal development during the most vulnerable stages.

Study Confirms “Pandemic Fatigue” Occurred Due to Social Restrictions, Adherence to Preventive Measures

A comprehensive longitudinal study tracking 3 major waves of the pandemic confirmed the widespread occurrence of “pandemic fatigue,” a statistically significant decline in adherence to social restrictions and preventive measures over time. Researchers found that while initial compliance was high, psychological factors like fear of infection became the primary drivers of adherence as the pandemic progressed, particularly for women and individuals with higher education.

Interestingly, the study noted that fatigue was most pronounced among high-risk groups who faced constant reminders of their vulnerability. To combat this trend, the role of pharmacists evolved significantly, with 88.8% of surveyed pharmacists increasing their engagement in patient education and remote services to provide the reliable, evidence-based guidance necessary to sustain public health efforts.

ACIP Recommends Shared Decision-Making for COVID-19 Vaccination

In a landmark 12-0 vote, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) transitioned COVID-19 vaccination to a shared clinical decision-making model for all individuals aged 6 months and older. This shift means that, rather than a blanket recommendation, the decision to vaccinate will be an individualized process between patients and health care providers—including pharmacists—based on personal health characteristics and risk factors.

While a proposal to require prescriptions for the vaccine failed in a tiebreaker vote, the committee emphasized that the risk-benefit profile remains most favorable for those under 65 who are at high risk of severe disease. In response to these federal changes, regional groups like the West Coast Health Alliance and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative formed to provide unified, science-based guidance and ensure continued equitable access to immunizations.

New COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations Cause Confusion Among Public, Health Care Providers

The fifth and final top COVID-19 story of 2025 highlighted a period of significant turmoil and unprecedented confusion regarding vaccine policy for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. Conflicting messages emerged as top health officials from the HHS and FDA announced removal of healthy children and pregnant women from the recommended schedule via social media, while the CDC’s official website remained temporarily unaligned.

Public health experts, including Lauren Angelo, PharmD, warned that this lack of transparency and the shift away from a science-based, checks-and-balances system could severely damage public trust and increase provider liability. These abrupt changes are particularly concerning for pregnant individuals, who face higher risks of ICU admission and preterm birth, as the new shared clinical decision-making provision may create insurance coverage gaps and barriers to essential care.