If you’re living with melanoma, staying protected against COVID-19 continues to matter — especially as new variants circulate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new set of COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released updated vaccine guidance.

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Here’s what you should know about this year’s booster: how it works, who qualifies, and how to make a plan with your care team.

1. New Boosters Target the LP.8.1 Variant This Season

The COVID-19 vaccines are reformulated each year to better match the most commonly circulating virus strains. For the 2025-2026 season, the FDA directed vaccine manufacturers to update their formulas using a monovalent JN.1 lineage, specifically the LP.8.1 strain.

The FDA has approved 2025-2026 booster formulas for:

• Pfizer’s Comirnaty — A messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for people ages 5 to 64 years with at least one condition that raises the risk of severe COVID-19, and for all adults 65 and older
• Moderna’s Spikevax — An mRNA vaccine for people ages 6 months to 64 years with a high-risk condition, and all adults 65 and older
• Moderna mNexspike — A lower-dose mRNA vaccine for people ages 12 to 64 years with a high-risk health condition, and all adults 65 and older
• Novavax’s Nuvaxovid — An adjuvanted, protein-based vaccine for people ages 12 to 64 years with a high-risk health condition, and all adults 65 and older

How Are the Boosters Different?

The main difference is how they’re made. Pfizer and Moderna use mRNA technology, which gives your cells instructions to make a harmless piece of the virus so your immune system learns to fight it. The Novavx vaccine is protein-based (a more traditional vaccine type). It delivers a purified piece of the virus protein with an adjuvant to boost your immune response.

For most people, any of the three options offers similar protection against severe illness. All are approved for high-risk groups, including people with cancer.

2. People With Melanoma Have a Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19

COVID-19 affects more than just the lungs. It can cause widespread inflammation and immune system disruption, leading to complications in multiple organs — including the heart, brain, and kidneys. For someone living with cancer, especially those in active treatment, this impact can be even more serious.

People living with cancer may be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 because:

• Cancer can weaken the immune system.
• Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy may lower the body’s ability to fight infections.
• Some people with cancer may also have other health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic lung disease, that make COVID-19 complications more likely.

Can COVID-19 Be Cured?

While most people recover fully from a COVID-19 infection, some develop long COVID, a condition where symptoms persist or reappear weeks or even months after the initial infection. These may include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and joint pain.

There are treatments available for COVID-19, including antiviral medications like nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), remdesivir (Veklury), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio). These treatments work best when started early — ideally within the first few days of symptoms.

Not everyone can take these medications. They may interact with other prescriptions or be unsafe for people with certain health conditions. Your doctor can help determine whether one of these treatments is right for you.

3. Oncology Experts Recommend Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommended that people with cancer stay current on COVID-19 vaccination — especially if they’re in active treatment or if local cases are rising.

ASCO reported in May that people with cancer or other immunocompromising conditions make up about 16 percent of all COVID-19 hospitalizations. Getting vaccinated helps lower the risk of severe illness and long-term effects like long COVID.

ASCO advises that people with cancer:

• Get the current vaccine when eligible — Staying up to date provides the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and long-term complications.
• Coordinate vaccine timing with cancer treatments — For example, your doctor may suggest spacing the shot away from chemotherapy to give your immune system the best chance to respond.
• Avoid live vaccines — This is a general rule for many people with cancer, since live vaccines can pose a higher risk when your immune system is compromised. (The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S. aren’t live vaccines.)

ASCO also noted that people with cancer may need more than one COVID-19 vaccine dose per year, depending on their treatment and risk level. Talk to your doctor about whether a second dose is recommended six months after your first.

Separately, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that people decide whether to get a COVID-19 vaccination based on individual decision-making. This approach is similar to guidance around the annual flu shot: You and your doctor can work together to decide what’s right for you.

4. If You’re Living With Melanoma, Timing Matters

If you’re considering the updated COVID-19 vaccine, here are important timing steps to talk through with your care team:

• Ask if you qualify based on your age and health history.
• Plan around your treatment cycles. Your oncologist may recommend receiving the vaccine during a time when your immune system is more stable — for example, between rounds of chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
• Check the timing of your last COVID-19 dose. The updated booster should be given at least two months after your most recent shot.

You can also add extra layers of protection by:

• Wearing a high-quality mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces
• Practicing frequent and thorough hand-washing
• Improving ventilation by opening windows or using air filters
• Testing right away if you have symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed

These added steps help lower your risk during treatment weeks or in high-risk situations.

5. Your Doctor Can Help Personalize Your Plan

Every person’s journey is different — and so is their COVID-19 risk. Your care team can help you figure out:

• When to get the updated vaccine
• How it fits into your treatment schedule
• What precautions make the most sense for your lifestyle and health goals

Bringing the FDA guidance with you to your next doctor visit can be helpful. It gives you and your provider a starting point to talk about timing, eligibility, and any questions you may have.

6. Most Insurance Plans Cover COVID-19 Boosters

If the CDC recommends a COVID-19 booster for you, most insurance plans — including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance — will cover it at no cost. This includes the updated vaccines for the 2025-2026 season. Coverage generally applies as long as the shot is given by a provider in your insurance network.

That said, plan details can vary. Call your insurance provider or check your plan’s website to confirm coverage and avoid any surprises. If you don’t have medical insurance, free COVID-19 vaccines may still be available through public health clinics or federal programs.

Find Your Team

On MyMelanomaTeam, people share their experiences with melanoma, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What influenced your choice to get — or not get — the new COVID-19 booster? Let others know in the comments below.