COVID-19 Vaccines

Which vaccine should I get and when?

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are based on your age, which vaccine you received previously, and time since last dose.

• Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Not previously vaccinated: should receive a 3-dose series of updated (2023-­2024 Formula) Moderna or updated (2023-­2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Previously received mRNA doses: need 1 or 2 doses of updated (2023-2024 Formula) Moderna or updated (2023­-2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of prior doses.
• Children aged 6 months–4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Not previously vaccinated: should receive either 2 doses of updated (2023-2024 Formula) Moderna, or 3 doses of updated (2023-2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Previously received some mRNA doses: need 1 or 2 doses of updated (2023-2024 Formula) Moderna or updated (2023-2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of prior doses.
  • Previously up to date: 1 dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
    • For those ages 6 months–4 years, only a homologous dose may be administered.
    • For those ages 5 years and older, a dose from either manufacturer may be administered.
• The original Novavax COVID-19 vaccine remains authorized for use as a 2-dose primary series for individuals 12 years and older. Authorizations or approvals for 2023–2024 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will be determined by FDA with CDC recommendations to follow. At this time, the original Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be given as booster dose in limited situations to individuals who are:
  • Aged 18 years and older who previously completed primary vaccination using any FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Have not received any previous booster dose(s).
  • Are unwilling or unable (i.e., mRNA vaccine contraindicated or not available) to receive an updated mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive vaccine.

For detailed information about vaccine recommendations, view the COVID-19 vaccine schedule English | Spanish or visit the CDC webpage Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines. The webpage includes information for people who were vaccinated outside the US.