COVID-19 Vaccines for Children & Teens
COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Pediatric Populations
Children 5 years and older can get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Children 5 through 11 years old will receive a separate vaccine formulation denoted with an orange cap of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine that has one-third the dose given to adolescents and adults, and will receive the vaccine with a smaller needle. An overview of the description of the differences in the adult/adolescent formulation and pediatric formulation is available.
Children between the ages of 2 and 4 years old, other unvaccinated children 5 years or older and adults should continue to wear a mask in public spaces and around people they don’t live with.
COVID-19 Vaccine Dosage and Administration for Children and Teens
- Adolescents ages 12 years and older receive the same dosage of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as adults.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents. However, children ages 5 through 11 years cannot get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine given to adults and adolescents. In addition, children ages 5 through 11 years receive an age-appropriate dose that is one-third of the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Smaller needles, designed specifically for children, are also used for children ages 5 through 11 years.
- Unlike many medications, COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight but by age on the day of vaccination.
- Your child will need a second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine three weeks after their first shot.
Most Children and All Teens Can Get COVID-19 Vaccines
The CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help prevent against COVID-19.
Authorized For |
Pfizer-BioNTech |
Moderna |
J&J/Janssen |
|---|---|---|---|
4 Years and Under
|
No | No | No |
5 – 11 Years Old
|
Yes | No | No |
12 – 17 Years Old
|
Yes | No | No |
18 Years and Older
|
Yes | Yes | Yes |