The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) has issued a bulletin reaffirming that, regardless of federal actions, carriers in New Jersey are expected to cover COVID-19 vaccines and administration without cost-sharing for the 2025–2026 respiratory season.

Key points:

• The NJ Department of Health recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all individuals ages 6 months and older this season.
• Pharmacists and pharmacy staff remain authorized under a standing order to administer vaccines. Dentists are not currently included in this authorization. Under New Jersey law, dentists may only administer certain vaccines (such as influenza and HPV) to adults in limited circumstances approved by the State Board of Dentistry. Any temporary COVID-19 vaccination authority for dentists tied to earlier public health emergency orders has since expired.
• Carriers must reflect this coverage in their plan materials and ensure patients can access vaccines without barriers such as prescriptions or additional requirements.

What this means for your practice:

• You do not need to make operational changes in your office.
• Stay informed so you can confidently answer patient questions — for example, letting them know COVID-19 vaccines remain available at no cost through medical and pharmacy providers.
• This bulletin is also a reminder of how DOBI frames preventive care: as an essential, no-barrier benefit. This is a useful precedent when we advocate for similar treatment of oral health services.