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 6 months and older should get at least 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID.
  • 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. Children in this age group should receive vaccine doses from the same manufacturer (i.e., Pfizer – BioNTech or Moderna).
    • 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. All doses should be from the same manufacturer.
    • Previously up to date: 1 dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines from the same manufacturer as previous doses.
  • Individuals with normal immune systems 5 years or older should get 1 dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Individuals with normal immune systems 12 years and older may either get 1 dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, or Moderna updated COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your previous vaccine history, you also have the option of getting 1 or 2 doses of the new updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.
• 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. Those aged 12 years or older can also choose to complete an initial 2-dose series of updated Novavax.
• Previously received 1-2 mRNA doses: need 1 or 2 doses of the same vaccine (updated Moderna or updated Pfizer) to complete 3 dose series.
• Previously received 3 or more doses of vaccine: Can receive 1 dose of any updated vaccines (Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer).
• Previously received original Novavax or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) doses: Can receive 1 dose of any updated vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax).

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.