Standing Orders for Administering 2025-2026 Formula mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine to Individuals 12 Years and Older

Sep 25, 2026

Standing orders template for administering the 2025-2026 formula mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 12 years and older, designed to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The policy describes eligible vaccinators (nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals) where allowed by state law, and summarizes authorized vaccine options (Comirnaty, mNexspike, and Spikevax) with age and risk-based licensing details. It also clarifies limits of shared clinical decision-making within standing orders, supports self-attestation, and aligns with ACIP while referencing AAP, AAFP, IDSA, and ACOG guidance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Policy and eligible providers

Vaccine options and age/risk licensing

Clinical decision-making and documentation

Guidance references for professionals and special populations

Standing orders for other vaccines [are available at www.immunize.org/standing-orders](are available at www.immunize.org/standing-orders). note: This standing orders template may be adapted per a practice’s discretion without obtaining permission [from Immunize.org. As a courtesy](from Immunize.org. As a courtesy), please acknowledge [Immunize.org](Immunize.org)as its source. standing orders for Administering 2025-2026 Formula mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine to Individuals 12 Years and Older Purpose To reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 by vaccinating people 12 years and older. Policy Where allowed by state law, standing orders enable eligible nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to vaccinate people 12 years and older. There are four available COVID-19 vaccine options for this age group. This standing order template covers the following three mRNA vaccine formulations: • Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is FDA-licensed for use in ages 5 years through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at risk for severe COVID-19 infection and individuals 65 years and older • mNexspike (Moderna) is FDA-licensed for use in ages 12 through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at risk for severe COVID-19 infection and individuals 65 years and older • Spikevax (Moderna) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is FDA-licensed for use in ages 6 months through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at risk for severe COVID-19 infection and individuals 65 years and older A standing order template for Nuvaxovid (Sanofi-Novavax), a protein-based vaccine licensed for ages 12 years and older, is [available at www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p3141.pdf](available at www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p3141.pdf). Important information about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and the use of this template: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends COVID-19 vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making (also known as individual based decision-making), emphasizing use in individuals at increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection, based on the CDC list of risk factors (see pages 2 and 3). Shared clinical decision-making discussions, due to their individualized nature, cannot be incorporated into a standing order. Individuals can self-attest to factors that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 infection and receive COVID-19 vaccination. An individual should not be denied COVID-19 vaccination because of lack of documentation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued routine age-based recommendations for those age 6 months through 23 months, as well as routine risk-based recommendations for older children with certain medical conditions or in certain settings. For details, see AAP recommendations: [https://publications.aap](https://publications.aap). org/pediatrics/article/doi/10. 1542/peds.2025-073924/203222/Recommendations-for-COVID-19-Vaccines-in-Infants. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has published COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and adults. They are consistent with AAP for COVID-19 vaccination of children. For details, [see www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/public-health-emergencies/recent-outbreaks/covid-19/](see www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/public-health-emergencies/recent-outbreaks/covid-19/)[ ](see www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/public-health-emergencies/recent-outbreaks/covid-19/)covid-19-vaccine. html. continued on the next page FOR PROFESSIONALS [www.immunize.org /](www.immunize.org / FOR THE PUBLIC)[ FOR THE PUBLIC](www.immunize.org / FOR THE PUBLIC) [www.vaccineinformation.org](www.vaccineinformation.org) [www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3140.pdf](www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3140.pdf)[ ](www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3140.pdf)Item \#p3140 (11/13/2025) Scan for PDF The Infectious Diseases Society of America (

FAQs

What is the purpose of these standing orders?

They aim to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality by vaccinating people aged 12 years and older.

Who can administer the vaccine under these standing orders?

Where allowed by state law, eligible nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals can vaccinate individuals aged 12 years and older.

Which mRNA COVID-19 vaccine formulations are covered?

The template covers Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech), mNexspike (Moderna), and Spikevax (Moderna) with specified age ranges and risk-based eligibility.

How does the template handle shared clinical decision-making?

Shared clinical decision-making discussions individualized to each person cannot be incorporated into standing orders; individuals may self-attest to factors that increase risk, and lack of documentation should not be a reason to deny vaccination.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan