Expert Discusses Potential New COVID-19 Recommendations for 2025-2026 Respiratory Season
Lauren Angelo, PharmD, MBA, associate dean of academic affairs at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, discusses the changing recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination.
This interview was recorded on June 4, 2025, at 11:00 am.
The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine formulation is set to remain monovalent, targeting the JN.1 lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with a preference for the LP8.1 strain. The CDC continues to track these variants through a color-coded bar graph and lineage diagram, which shows the LP8.1 strain increasing from 53% in March to 73% by the end of May, according to Lauren Angelo, PharmD, MBA, associate dean of academic affairs at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
However, the recent vaccine policy changes have raised significant concerns about transparency and consistency. The Health and Human Services and FDA initially suggested COVID-19 vaccines would only be recommended for those 65 and older or individuals with underlying health conditions. Notably, pregnancy was removed from the recommended vaccination list, which is particularly problematic given the higher risks pregnant women face from COVID-19, including increased rates of intensive care unit admission, ventilator use, and potential complications for both mother and child. The changing recommendations present implementation challenges for health care providers. Universal and age-based recommendations are typically easier to follow, whereas the new approach of shared clinical decision-making may lead to confusion and potential vaccination gaps. This inconsistency could contribute to public hesitancy, complacency, and a lack of confidence in vaccination guidelines. Angelo emphasizes the need for evidence-based, expert-vetted recommendations that prioritize public health and provide clear, consistent guidance to both health care providers and the general public.
"The latest recommendations over the past couple [of] weeks have created confusion, and we have seen individuals, as opposed to advisory groups or committees, independently changing vaccine policy. This, coupled with the lack of transparency, is unprecedented and concerning," Angelo said. "There have also been inconsistencies with the information communicated to the public."
