The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has impacted millions of people worldwide, necessitating the urgent need for vaccine development and therapies. Vaccination or immunizations remain the most potent approach against COVID-19 due to the rapid structural alterations in the SARS-CoV-2 structure and the lack of particular medications to combat the virus. The swift development of COVID-19 vaccines and widespread implementation of vaccinations during the pandemic have highlighted their critical role in controlling the spread of pathogens and reducing their impact on global health systems. As of March 2023, 183 different COVID-19 vaccine candidates are in clinical development, while some are still in the preclinical development stage. The categorization, development, and current clinical status of these vaccines are emphasized in this comprehensive chapter. Existing avenues for developing vaccines against COVID-19 include protein subunit, viral vector, inactivated or live attenuated, and nucleic acid-based vaccines, each with distinct benefits and limitations. Further, the milestones in COVID-19 vaccine development, from the first identification of cases to mass vaccination and pandemic control, along with the challenges and adaptations encountered, were addressed. Additionally, the current clinical status of the vaccines has been summarized to provide insights into their efficacy and safety profiles from extensive clinical trials. Moreover, the impact of regulatory approvals on public health strategies worldwide is discussed, along with studies focused on long-term immunity and the effectiveness of vaccines against the emergence of Variants of Concern (VOC). Overall, this chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of the classification, rapid development, and current clinical landscape of COVID-19 vaccines by emphasizing significant achievements and challenges in controlling the pandemic through immunization.