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