The CDC recommends that children and adolescents age 6 months and older get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and advises children and adolescents age 5 and older who receive the Pfizer vaccine to get a booster dose at least 5 months after their second shot.
As of December 9, 2022, the CDC expanded the use of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years. The updated Pfizer vaccine will be used as the third dose in the primary series for children age 6 months through 4 years old. Children ages 6 months through 5 years who previously completed a Moderna primary series are eligible to receive the updated Moderna booster 2 months after their primary series. (See: Booster Doses)
The dose and series authorized for children is informed by clinical trials on safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine in these age groups.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization
- Children age 6 months through 4 years old receive a three-shot series, with two doses spaced three weeks apart and followed by a third at least two months later. The dosage is one-tenth the adult dosage. The third dose in the series is the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine.
- Children age 5 to 11 receive a two-shot series spaced three weeks apart. The dosage is one-third the adult dosage. This age group should also get a booster dose at least five months after their second shot. This age group should also get an updated booster dose at least two months after their second shot.
- Children age 12 to 17 receive a two-shot series spaced three weeks apart. The dosage is the same as the adult dosage. This age group should also get an updated booster dose at least two months after their second shot.
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization
- Children age 6 months through 5 years old receive a two-shot series, with two doses spaced four weeks apart. The dosage is one-quarter of the adult dosage. This age group is also eligible to receive a Moderna bivalent booster dose 2 months after their primary series.
- Children age 6 to 11 receive a two-shot series, with two doses spaced four weeks apart. The dosage is half the adult dosage. This age group should also receive a Moderna bivalent booster dose 2 months after their primary series.
- Children age 12 to 17 receive a two-shot series, with two doses spaced four weeks apart. The dosage is the same as the dosage for adults. This age group should also receive a Moderna bivalent booster dose 2 months after their primary series.
The CDC recommends that children and adolescents age 6 months to 17 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a three-shot series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. For more information on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for immunocompromised children and adolescents, follow the CDC’s guidelines here.
Updated December 9, 2022