Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dartmouth Health infectious disease specialist, Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, MD, shares important updates about the COVID vaccine and why the vaccine continues to be important.
The updated 2025-2026 COVID 19 vaccine formulation was recently licensed by the FDA. Age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccines are available for individuals age 6 months and older.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends the COVID 19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 23 months since this age is particularly at higher risk for severe COVID 19. They also recommend vaccination for children 23 months through 18 years of age with certain conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease or if a parent or guardian desires their protection against COVID 19.
In addition, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that all adults 18 years and older receive a COVID 19 vaccine. It is especially important to get a COVID 19 vaccine if you are: 65 years of age and older, are at increased risk for severe COVID 19 or you have never received a COVID 19 vaccine.
If you’re pregnant, planning pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding, medical experts—including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists— also recommend vaccination.
If you have cancer or a weakened immune system, the vaccine can help reduce your risk. We also encourage anyone in close contact with you to get vaccinated as well.
dartmouth-hitchcock.org/covid-19/vaccines
Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire's only academic health system and the state's largest private employer, serves patients across northern New England. Dartmouth Health provides access to more than 2,000 providers in almost every area of medicine, delivering care at its flagship hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, NH, as well as across its wide network of hospitals, clinics and care facilities. DHMC is consistently named the #1 hospital in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report, and recognized for high performance in numerous clinical specialties and procedures. Dartmouth Health includes its Dartmouth Cancer Center, one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, and the only such center in northern New England; Dartmouth Health Children’s, including the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the state’s only children’s hospital and clinic locations around the region; member hospitals in Lebanon, Keene and New London, NH, and Windsor, VT, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire; and more than 24 clinics that provide ambulatory services across New Hampshire and Vermont. Through its historical partnership with Dartmouth and the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Health trains nearly 400 medical residents and fellows annually, and performs cutting-edge research and clinical trials recognized across the globe with Geisel and the White River Junction VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT. Dartmouth Health and its more than 13,000 employees are deeply committed to serving the healthcare needs of everyone in our communities, and to providing each of our patients with exceptional, personal care.
Learn more at dartmouth-health.org/.
Dartmouth Health infectious disease specialist, Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, MD, shares important updates about the COVID vaccine and why the vaccine continues to be important.
The updated 2025-2026 COVID 19 vaccine formulation was recently licensed by the FDA. Age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccines are available for individuals age 6 months and older.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends the COVID 19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 23 months since this age is particularly at higher risk for severe COVID 19. They also recommend vaccination for children 23 months through 18 years of age with certain conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease or if a parent or guardian desires their protection against COVID 19.
In addition, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that all adults 18 years and older receive a COVID 19 vaccine. It is especially important to get a COVID 19 vaccine if you are: 65 years of age and older, are at increased risk for severe COVID 19 or you have never received a COVID 19 vaccine.
If you’re pregnant, planning pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding, medical experts—including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists— also recommend vaccination.
If you have cancer or a weakened immune system, the vaccine can help reduce your risk. We also encourage anyone in close contact with you to get vaccinated as well.
dartmouth-hitchcock.org/covid-19/vaccines
Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire's only academic health system and the state's largest private employer, serves patients across northern New England. Dartmouth Health provides access to more than 2,000 providers in almost every area of medicine, delivering care at its flagship hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, NH, as well as across its wide network of hospitals, clinics and care facilities. DHMC is consistently named the #1 hospital in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report, and recognized for high performance in numerous clinical specialties and procedures. Dartmouth Health includes its Dartmouth Cancer Center, one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, and the only such center in northern New England; Dartmouth Health Children’s, including the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the state’s only children’s hospital and clinic locations around the region; member hospitals in Lebanon, Keene and New London, NH, and Windsor, VT, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire; and more than 24 clinics that provide ambulatory services across New Hampshire and Vermont. Through its historical partnership with Dartmouth and the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Health trains nearly 400 medical residents and fellows annually, and performs cutting-edge research and clinical trials recognized across the globe with Geisel and the White River Junction VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT. Dartmouth Health and its more than 13,000 employees are deeply committed to serving the healthcare needs of everyone in our communities, and to providing each of our patients with exceptional, personal care.
Learn more at dartmouth-health.org/.
