There's a delay in this year's COVID-19 vaccines for children.

The delay comes three weeks after the Food and Drug Administration approved the latest COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-27 respiratory virus season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says its federal Vaccines for Children program continues to provide free vaccines to uninsured children. However, the updated COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available through the program.

Some retail pharmacies currently offer both flu shots and the updated COVID-19 vaccine. But without insurance, parents may have to pay out of pocket for the COVID-19 shot until it becomes available through the federal program.