COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Children and Teens
What You Need to Know
CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Everyone 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster, if eligible.
Use CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when your child or teen can get boosters to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 Vaccine Dosage Is Based on Age on the Day of Vaccination, Not on Size or Weight
Children get a smaller dose of COVID-19 vaccine than teens and adults that is the right amount for their age group.
COVID-19 primary series vaccination for children and teens
Child's Age | Pfizer-BioNTech | Moderna | J&J/Janssen |
6 months - 4 years old | 3 dose primary series | 2 dose primary series | Not authorized |
5 years old | 2 dose primary series | 2 dose primary series | Not authorized |
6-17 years old | 2 dose primary series | Not authorized | Not authorized |
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and dosage for children and teens, visit:
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Overview and Safety
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Overview and Safety
For information on an additional primary dose for children who have a weakened immune system, visit COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised.
Learn more about recommended COVID-19 vaccine boosters.
Children and Teens Who Have Already Had COVID-19 Should Still Get Vaccinated
Emerging evidence indicates that people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after having been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Even if a child has had COVID-19, they should still get vaccinated. For children who have been infected with COVID-19, their next dose can be delayed 3 months from when symptoms started or, if they did not have symptoms, when they received a positive test. This possible delay can happen with a primary dose or a booster dose.
Read the science about immunity from COVID-19 infection and vaccination.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Other Vaccines Can Be Given at the Same Visit
Children and teens may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same time.
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