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Important SNAP Updates: See what’s changing and where to get support. Learn more
Important SNAP Updates: See what’s changing and where to get support. Learn more

COVID-19 Vaccination: Ongoing Clinical Importance

Date: 01/13/26

COVID 19 remains a significant public health concern, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination continues to be one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Immunity acquired from prior infection may diminish over time, and as the virus continues to evolve, updated vaccines are essential to sustaining protection against emerging variants.

COVID-19 Vaccination Benefits1

  • Protection Against Severe Illness: COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of severe disease by up to 70% shortly after vaccination, with protection lasting for several months.
  • Lower Risk of Hospitalization: Vaccination decreases the likelihood of hospitalization by approximately 50% within the first two months after receiving the vaccine.
  • Reduced Risk of Long COVID: If infection occurs, vaccinated individuals are less likely to experience prolonged symptoms.
  • Community Protection: Vaccination helps limit transmission, safeguarding family, friends, and the broader community.

Meridian COVID-19 Vaccine coverage2

Meridian covers COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. See Table 1 for 2025-2026 COVID vaccines.

Per the State of Illinois 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order for Administering Vaccine:

Assess individuals ages 6 months and older for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

  • Confirm COVID-19 vaccination history and whether the individual is moderately or severely immunocompromised. Self-attestation by the patient or parent/guardian of their moderately or severely immunocompromised status is acceptable.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for the following groups:
  • Children
    • All children age 6 months through 23 months
    • Children ages 2 years through 17 years in the following risk categories (Self-attestation of risk by the parent/guardian is acceptable.)
      • People who are at high risk of severe COVID-19
      • Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings
      • Persons who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19
      • People whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19
    • Children ages 2 years through 17 years based on shared clinical decision-making if not included in a risk group but whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19
  • Pregnant Persons
    • All individuals who are or will be pregnant, during any trimester of pregnancy, postpartum, or during lactation
  • Adults
    • All adults ages 18 years and older

Safety and Side Effects1

Side effects from COVID-19 vaccination include arm injection site pain, fatigue, fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. Serious side effects such as myocarditis or pericarditis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) are rare.

Key Takeaways

  • Meridian provides coverage for COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals aged six months and older
  • COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of severe illness
  • Vaccination is especially important for older adults and those with underlying health conditions
  • Healthy individuals also benefit from vaccination and contribute to community protection

Table 1

Age

COVID-19 Vaccine product

6 months through 4 years

Spikevax (Moderna)

5 years through 11 years

Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech)

Spikevax (Moderna)

5 years through 11 years

Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech)

Spikevax (Moderna)

mNEXSPIKE (Moderna)

Nuvaxovid (Novavax)

References

1. Benefits of Getting Vaccinated. Accessed November 13, 2025.
2. 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order for Administering Vaccine (PDF). Accessed November 13, 2025.