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The updated (bivalent) boosters are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older with one exception. Children 6 months though 4 years of age who finished a Pfizer vaccine primary series are not eligible for a booster dose at this time.

Need help? Call the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 open daily 8am to 8:30pm. Information is also available in multiple languages 24/7 by calling 2-1-1.
To find a vaccine, visit ph.lacounty.gov/howtogetvaccinated.

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting very sick, being hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19. As with other diseases, people who stay up to date with all recommended vaccine doses (including boosters) have the best protection against COVID-19. For the most current guidance from the CDC, see Stay Up to Date with your COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters.

Which vaccine should I get and when?

Vaccine Schedules
Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, which vaccine you received, and time since last dose. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines – See the COVID-19 vaccine schedules below for details.

Children ages 6 months through 11 years
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Adolescents and Adults 12+
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Vaccine type(s)

The Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), and Novavax vaccines are recommended over the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) vaccine because they have fewer potential risks. But you may get the J&J vaccine in some situations.
Children and teens - COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for children ages 6 months and older. Children ages 6 months and older can get either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine primary series. Children ages 12 and older can get the Novavax vaccine primary series.
The COVID-19 vaccine dose is based on the age of the child on the day of their vaccine, not on their size or weight. Children ages 12 and over get the same dose of vaccine as teens and adults. For more information, see the CDC webpage Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters.
Bivalent (updated) and monovalent (original) COVID-19 vaccines. Monovalent vaccines target the original virus that causes COVID-19. Bivalent vaccines have been updated to target both the original COVID-19 virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants.
- Primary series doses - Monovalent vaccines are used as the primary series for all vaccines with one exception. A bivalent vaccine is used for dose 3 of a primary series of Pfizer vaccine for children ages 6 months–4 years.
- Booster doses - All Pfizer and Moderna booster doses are bivalent (updated) vaccines. The Novavax booster dose is a monovalent vaccine.

If you have COVID now or had it recently

It is recommended that you stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines even if you already had COVID-19. This is because vaccines provide added protection. But you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose (primary series or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started or when you first had a positive test (if you didn’t have any symptoms). If you have COVID-19 now, you should wait at least until you have finished isolation before getting a COVID-19 dose. This is so you don’t give COVID to healthcare workers and others when you go to get vaccinated.

When to get your second primary dose of vaccine

The timing of the 2nd dose of your primary series depends on your individual situation:

People under 65 years of age, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, may consider getting the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax vaccine 8 weeks after the first dose. Waiting a longer time between the first and second doses may increase protection from the vaccines, and may minimize the already rare risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart).
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised or who need the fullest possible protection sooner should get their second dose earlier: at least 3 weeks after the 1st dose of Pfizer or Novavax; at least 4 weeks after the 1st dose of Moderna. For example, if there is an increase of COVID-19 spread in the community and/or they are at higher risk for severe disease.
People ages 65 years and older should get the 2nd dose of Pfizer or Novavax vaccine 3 weeks after the first dose, or the 2nd dose of Moderna vaccine 4 weeks after the first dose.

Talk with your doctor if you are not sure about which timing is best for your situation.

Booster doses

The updated boosters target the most recent Omicron subvariants (BA.4/BA.5) as well as the original COVID-19 virus. The updated boosters can help restore protection against COVID-19 that has decreased over time and provide broader protection against newer variants. The original (monovalent) Pfizer and Moderna boosters are no longer available.

One updated booster is recommended at least 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine dose (either the final primary series dose or the last original [monovalent] booster). This is regardless of how many original (monovalent) boosters or which type of vaccine(s) were received in the past. Children ages 11 and under get a lower dose of the updated booster than teens and adults.

Ages 5 and older

Children age 5 who completed a Moderna primary series can get either a Pfizer or Moderna updated booster.
Children age 5 who completed a primary series of Pfizer vaccine get the Pfizer updated booster.
Everyone ages 6 and older can get either a Pfizer or Moderna updated booster.

Ages 6 months through 4 years

Children who completed a primary series of Moderna vaccine can get the Moderna updated booster.
Children who completed a primary series of Pfizer vaccines are not eligible for a booster dose at this time. Note: the Pfizer primary series for this age group now includes a bivalent (updated) vaccine for the 3rd dose.

Alternative booster option for certain people ages 18 and older

People ages 18 and older may receive a Novavax (monovalent) vaccine as a booster instead of getting the recommended updated Pfizer or Moderna booster if they meet all the following criteria:

They are unable or unwilling to receive an updated booster (for instance, if they are severely allergic to the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines); AND
They have completed primary series vaccination; AND
They have never had a booster before.

The Novavax booster is given at least 6 months after completing the last dose of the primary series.

Visit the CDC interactive Getting your COVID-19 Booster tool to help determine when/if you (or your child) can get COVID-19 boosters.

If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised

If you have a weakened immune system, you are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. In addition, you may not build enough protection from the standard vaccine schedule. For this reason, additional COVID-19 vaccine doses are recommended. (Note: Novavax is not authorized for an additional primary series dose at this time). For more information, see the CDC webpage COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people (and vaccine schedule above) and talk to your doctor.

Other situations

If you were vaccinated outside of the US: visit the CDC webpage Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters and scroll down to the Vaccination Outside the United States section for the latest information including boosters. Detailed information is available in Appendix B of the CDC Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines.
If you received a mix-and-match series: visit the CDC webpage Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters and scroll down to the Mixing COVID-19 Vaccine Products section for the latest information including boosters.
If you were vaccinated as part of a clinical trial: detailed information is available in Appendix C of the CDC Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines.

Where can I go to get vaccinated?

There are hundreds of vaccination locations in LA County. Click here to find a location near you. If you are looking for vaccine for a child, make sure the location has the right vaccine for your child’s age. Note that many pharmacies do not vaccinate children under age 3. In-home vaccination and free transportation to a vaccine site are also available.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free. If you have health insurance, please bring your health insurance card (COVID-19 vaccines are free regardless of insurance status).
No appointment is needed at many vaccine locations.
You will not be asked about your immigration status.

Need help? Call the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 0473 if you need help finding a vaccine, transportation, or in-home vaccination. Open daily 8am to 8:30pm. Information is also available in multiple languages 24/7 by calling 2-1-1.

More information

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters (CDC)
Vaccine resource webpage with information in multiple languages and formats including the different vaccines, safety, and Frequently Asked Questions in Web and PDF format.
Vaccine side effects
Vaccination records
VaccinateLACounty.com
covid19.ca.gov/vaccines
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccines

And Vaccine Schedules