The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has addressed recent updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization schedule, specifically regarding COVID-19 and MMRV vaccines.
The CDC now recommends “individual-based decision making” for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 6 months and older. This approach involves a discussion between patients or their guardians and healthcare providers, including pharmacists. With the updated CDC immunization schedule in place, people ages 6 months and up can receive a COVID-19 vaccine from their healthcare provider, while those aged 3 years and older may get vaccinated at a pharmacy in Virginia without a prescription.
COVID-19 vaccines are available at many pharmacies across Virginia, as well as some physicians’ offices. Local health department offices may also offer the updated 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine. The VDH advises residents to use its locator map to find nearby locations and encourages calling ahead to confirm age eligibility or appointment availability.
Regarding the MMRV vaccine, the CDC no longer recommends administering the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (MMRV) to children under four years old. This change aligns with current practices in Virginia, where most MMRV vaccinations occur among children aged four or older. For those under four, separate MMR and varicella vaccines are advised, with the first dose recommended between 12 and 15 months of age. The guidance for second doses remains unchanged: they should be given at ages four to six years old.
With these updates adopted by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on October 7, VDH announced that the State Health Commissioner’s Standing Order issued on September 10 will be revoked effective October 10. According to VDH, “The State Health Commissioner issued the standing order to bridge the gap for COVID-19 vaccine access until the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations were adopted by the CDC on October 7. The standing order ensured that Virginians could access the COVID-19 vaccine uninterrupted, if they so desired.”
VDH also highlighted online resources such as the MyIR Portal for accessing complete immunization records.
