The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 subvariant for the 2025–2026 season but restricts eligibility primarily to adults over 65 and individuals with certain health risks, narrowing prior broader authorizations. This decision coincides with the dismissal of CDC Director Susan Monarez after less than a month, reportedly linked to disagreements over vaccine policies. The CDC has adopted a shared clinical decision-making stance for healthy children, further limiting vaccine accessibility. These regulatory moves mark a significant shift in the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination landscape as viral case counts rise.