Pediatric Vaccines

All children age 6 months and older should get the updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. The recommended dose(s) depends on a child’s age, COVID-19 vaccine history, and the vaccine type (e.g., Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax). Children are considered up to date when they receive all recommended doses, including at least one dose of the COVID-19 2024-25 vaccine.

The updated 2024-25 Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines each follow a different dosage schedule outlined below:

2024-25 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 

• Children age 6 months to 4 years who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine should get two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The second dose should be given one month after the first.
• Children age 6 months to 4 years who have received one or more previous doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine should get one dose of the Moderna vaccine at least two months after their last dose.
• Children age 5 and older should get one dose of the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be considered up to date.

2024-25 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine 

• Children age 6 months to 4 years who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine should get three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as soon as possible. The first two doses are given three weeks apart, and they should get their third at least eight weeks after the second dose.
• Children age 6 months to 4 years who have received one dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should get two doses of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least two months after their last dose. The first dose should be given at least three weeks after any previous dose, and the second dose should be administered at least eight weeks later.
• Children age 6 months through 4 years who have received two doses of a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should get one dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least eight weeks after their last dose. 
• Children age 5 and older should get one dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as soon as possible. Children age 5 and older who have been previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine should get one dose at least two months after their last dose.

2024-25 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

• Children age 12 years and older have never received a COVID-19 vaccine should get two doses of the updated Novavax vaccine as soon as possible. The second dose should be given three weeks after the first dose. 
• Children who have received any number of previous COVID-19 vaccine doses should receive one dose of the updated Novavax vaccin at least two months after the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Children under 12 years can NOT get the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

Recommendations for Children with Compromised Immune Systems

The CDC recommends that children age 6 months to 17 years who have moderately or severely compromised immune systems get vaccinated as outlined in the COVID-19 vaccination schedule, according to their age and immune status.

Updated September 18, 2024 

Medical and public health experts, including the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that children and adolescents ages 6 months and older get an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to help protect them from serious illness.

The vaccine is the best way to protect children from becoming severely ill or having long-lasting health impacts from COVID-19. While the risk of children and adolescents becoming severely ill or hospitalized is lower than the risk for adults, tens of thousands of children have been hospitalized with COVID-19, and the effects of the virus are unpredictable.

Updated October 25, 2024 

Yes, researchers and medical experts have worked to ensure the vaccine is safe for children and adolescents age 6 months to 17 years old. COVID-19 vaccines have continued to be proven safe and effective for children because of medical expert reviews of the clinical trial data and multi-year monitoring of thousands of vaccinated children. 

Health agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will continue to monitor the health data of clinical trial participants for two years after each vaccine is first administered to ensure their safety for the long term. As with all vaccines, these agencies will also continue monitoring the public’s health to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness.

Updated November 9, 2023 

Yes, it is safe for children and adolescents to get a COVID-19 vaccine and other routine vaccines, including the flu vaccine, during the same visit. The CDC recommends that all children and adolescents remain up-to-date with routine vaccinations, and those age 6 months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

For additional and more personalized information about pediatric vaccine administration options, caregivers should contact their child’s healthcare provider.

Updated November 9, 2023 

Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines vary from person to person. They are typically mild and subside in a few days. Common side effects include soreness and swelling in the injection site, nausea, chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, or fever. 

The risk of a child having a serious adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine is very low. 

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines or how to protect your children from COVID-19, speak to your healthcare provider or pediatrician.

Updated October 25, 2024