As we move through 2025, COVID-19 continues to evolve, but so too has the global response. While the pandemic’s intensity has significantly lessened compared to its peak years, new Omicron subvariants like JN.1, KP.2, and the emerging LP.8.1 have sustained low-to-moderate levels of community transmission worldwide, especially among older adults and immunocompromised individuals.
In response, global health authorities have largely come to a consensus: monovalent vaccines targeting recent Omicron lineages remain the best approach for 2025–2026. In May 2025, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) recommended continued use of vaccines targeting the JN.1 strain, with KP.2 and LP.8.1 seen as acceptable alternatives. This guidance aims to ensure faster vaccine production, simplify deployment, and offer continued protection against severe disease.
In alignment with WHO’s advice, major regulators including the US FDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA), and national health bodies across Asia are shifting toward vaccines with updated spike protein components, tailored for current variants. Despite regional differences in rollout strategies and access policies, the scientific consensus is clear: updated COVID-19 vaccines continue to play a crucial role in protecting high-risk populations as the virus adapts.
This blog compiles the latest updates from trusted sources such as WHO, CDC, FDA, EMA, and Singapore’s MOH to help individuals and healthcare professionals stay informed on vaccine developments in 2025, from regulatory shifts to public health recommendations around the world.
The newest COVID-19 vaccines are already available in many regions as of mid-2025, these are updated monovalent vaccines that target the JN.1 variant, the dominant Omicron sublineage from late 2024 to early 2025. While not entirely new from scratch, these formulations represent the most current updates approved for use and are considered the best available protection against severe illness.
In May 2025, the World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) reaffirmed this approach, recommending continued use of JN.1-targeted monovalent vaccines for the 2025–2026 season. The group also acknowledged that formulations updated to cover newer but related subvariants like KP.2 and LP.8.1 are acceptable alternatives, depending on local needs and vaccine availability.
Importantly, WHO emphasized that vaccination should not be delayed. Individuals, especially those at higher risk of severe outcomes such as the elderly, immunocompromised, or those with chronic health conditions should receive the most recently available vaccine, even if it doesn’t perfectly match the latest subvariant.
In short, WHO’s updated position supports the ongoing transition to simplified, targeted vaccines while reinforcing the urgency of immunizing vulnerable populations without delay. This scientific consensus is helping guide national policies across the US, Europe, and Asia including Singapore’s own vaccination strategy.
Source: WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production
As of mid-2025, new COVID-19 vaccines specifically formulated to target the KP.2 variant are expected to be released in the second half of 2025, with rollout planned for the fall season across the United States. While these are not entirely new vaccines from scratch, they are updated monovalent boosters tailored to match the currently circulating Omicron sublineage. Health officials emphasize that even prior JN.1-based boosters continue to offer strong protection, especially against severe illness and encourage high-risk individuals not to delay vaccination while awaiting newer formulations.
In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially recommended that updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall 2025 season target the KP.2 variant, a close descendant of JN.1 that has shown increasing prevalence across the United States. This marks a shift from the earlier JN.1-based vaccine strategy and aligns with the global push for monovalent formulations tailored to current Omicron lineages.
The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted in favor of using a single-strain KP.2 spike protein for updated mRNA boosters, citing strong cross-neutralization data and streamlined manufacturing benefits. The decision aims to keep pace with viral evolution while making it easier for manufacturers like Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax to produce variant-specific boosters for fall deployment.
Following the FDA’s lead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance in April 2025. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends:
The CDC reinforced that the current vaccines, particularly those based on JN.1 and KP.2 remain safe and effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even as newer subvariants like LP.8.1 emerge.
CDC also emphasized that no new safety signals have been identified with the updated mRNA formulations. Adverse events remain rare and consistent with previous booster campaigns.
Source:
Vaccine advisers to the FDA recommended changes to COVID vaccines
CDC – Use of 2025–2026 COVID-19 Vaccines
Japan continues to incorporate protein-based COVID‑19 vaccines into its domestic strategy. Notably, Novavax’s Nuvaxovid®, a recombinant protein subunit vaccine adjuvanted with Matrix-M, is available in Japan under a licensing deal with Takeda. As of May 5, 2025, Novavax and Takeda expanded their agreement to support further development, manufacturing, and distribution of Nuvaxovid® during the 2024–2025 season, ensuring continued access in the Japanese market.
In mid-May 2025, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended updating COVID‑19 vaccine compositions for the 2025–2026 vaccination campaign. Their Emergency Task Force (ETF) advised that updated vaccines focus on the LP.8.1 variant, which had become the most prevalent globally, although JN.1 or KP.2 monovalent vaccines remained acceptable interim options
Additionally, EMA’s ETF encouraged vaccine manufacturers to streamline conditional authorizations to facilitate timely updates tailored to emerging variants, making it easier for modified mRNA and protein-based vaccines to reach the market promptly.
Source: EMA Recommends Update to COVID-19 Vaccines for 2025-26 Campaign
Pfizer-BioNTech submitted a regulatory application to EMA on May 28, 2025, for a Comirnaty® booster specifically targeting LP.8.1, following EMA’s recommendation. The application covers use in individuals aged 6 months and older, adapting the seasonal booster to the prevailing LP.8.1 lineage.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), via its Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI), recommended and initiated the rollout of JN.1-adapted vaccines (Pfizer‑BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna/Spikevax) starting 28 October 2024, specifically targeting individuals at increased risk of severe COVID‑19 including seniors (60+), medically vulnerable individuals (6 months+), residents in aged-care facilities, and their caregivers.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) granted approval for these JN.1 vaccines and supported a community-based rollout, transitioning from centralized centres to ~500 Healthier SG GPs and 10 polyclinics, with mobile and home vaccination teams enhancing access.
Source: Update to Covid-19 Vaccination Recommendations and Rollout of Updated Jn.1 Vaccines
As of 29 April 2025, the MOH outlined the following vaccines under the National Vaccination Programme:
Unvaccinated persons aged 5 years and above now require just one primary dose, while younger children (6 months–4 years) follow a two-dose primary series. Additional boosters are recommended about one year (or at least five months) after the previous dose, particularly for high-risk groups.
Source: COVID-19 National Vaccination Programme
Between 27 April and 3 May 2025, Singapore experienced a 28% weekly rise in COVID-19 cases (from ~11,100 to ~14,200), driven by emerging LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, both descendants of JN.1. MOH emphasized that current JN.1-formulated vaccines remain effective in preventing severe outcomes despite waning immunity and new sublineages.
Health officials reiterated the importance of updating vaccinations, particularly for those at greater risk, and recommended co-administration with influenza vaccines, wearing masks in public spaces, and maintaining hygiene practices.
As the world enters mid-2025, COVID-19 vaccination strategies have evolved significantly in response to new variants and shifting public health needs. Global health authorities such as the WHO, CDC, and FDA now recommend monovalent vaccines targeting JN.1 and KP.2, with the U.S. preparing a new round of boosters for the fall.
Europe and the UK have similarly updated their booster formulations and prioritized vulnerable populations. In Asia, Japan and South Korea have introduced Zapomeran, a protein-based vaccine offering an alternative for individuals unable to take mRNA shots.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Ministry of Health began its JN.1 vaccine rollout in late 2024, focusing on seniors and medically vulnerable groups. Despite a recent rise in COVID-19 cases driven by emerging subvariants like LF.7 and NB.1.8, updated vaccines remain effective, and MOH continues to expand access through polyclinics, mobile units, and GP clinics.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time for your next booster, which vaccine best suits your needs, or have questions about any symptoms you’re experiencing, there’s no need to head to a clinic. With MaNaDr, you can easily connect with a licensed doctor anytime, anywhere – quickly, safely, and securely.
