There are Currently TWO COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Children Under 12 Years.
They Are:
1. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine,
AND
2. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
Note: Although most pediatric dosing is based on weight, the dosing for both of these vaccines is based on age (specifically the child’s age on the day of vaccination).
Fast Facts
- Children 6 months-11 years can get either Pfizer’s primary vaccine series or Moderna’s primary vaccine series to start. The “primary vaccine series” refers to the initial COVID vaccine doses that a child receives (i.e. not the booster doses).
- ALL kids 5 years & older are eligible to receive a “bivalent” booster shot, too (regardless of which primary series they got). See below for details on which booster is best for them.
This booster shot is called “bivalent” because it protects kids against BOTH the original virus that caused COVID-19 (think: SARS-CoV-2) and the Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5.
- Kids 6 months – 4 years who received Moderna’s primary vaccine series can get Moderna’s “bivalent” booster shot, as well.
Note: Kids 6 months – 4 years who received Pfizer’s primary vaccine series aren’t eligible for a “bivalent” booster shot, yet.
So, Which COVID Shots Should My Child Get and When?
The answer to this question depends on how old your child is, which primary vaccine series he/she is scheduled to receive (Pfizer or Moderna), and whether or not he/she is immunocompromised. (Note: Children who are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised follow different Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 vaccines schedules than kids who have robust immune systems. The charts for these vaccine schedules are shown below.)
Let’s Take a Closer Look at The Different Immunization Schedules Below. (Want to Skip the Details? No Worries, I Don’t Blame You. Just Go Directly to the Handy-Dandy Charts at the End of This Article. The Charts Include Pfizer’s COVID Vaccine Schedule for “Healthy” Kids and One For Moderately-to-Severely Immunocompromised Kids, As Well as Moderna’s COVID Vaccine Schedule for “Healthy” Kids and One For Moderately-to-Severely Immunocompromised Kids).
For Those of You Who Want to Get Into the Details, Let’s Start By Getting Wiser About Pfizer’s Vaccine Schedule for Kids…
Pfizer’s Immunization Schedule for the 6 Month-4 Year Age Group.
- The children in the 6 month-4 year age group will receive a total of THREE shots in Pfizer’s initial, primary vaccine series.
- Here’s How the Dosing Schedule Breaks Down:
Dose #1 (Primary Series) –> [3-8 Weeks Later] –> Dose #2 (Primary Series) –> [8 Weeks Later] –> Dose #3 (Primary Series).
- Kids 6 months-4 years are considered “up-to-date” on their COVID-19 immunizations 2 weeks after receiving their 3rd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. These children are not yet eligible for a “bivalent” booster shot.
Pfizer’s Immunization Schedule For 5-Year-Olds:
- 5-Year-Olds are eligible for Pfizer’s “bivalent” booster shot.
These kiddos only get TWO shots in their initial, primary series. After completing their primary series, they can get the Bivalent Booster Shot (their 3rd shot).
- Here’s the Vaccine Schedule For These Children:
Dose #1 (Primary Series) –> [3-8 Weeks Later] –> Dose #2 (Primary Series) –> [at Least 2 Months Later] –> Dose #3 (Pfizer’s Bivalent Booster Shot).
Pfizer’s Immunization Schedule For the 6-11 Year Age Group:
- As mentioned above, kids 5 & older are eligible for Pfizer’s new “bivalent” booster shot.
These kiddos only get TWO shots in their initial, primary series. After completing their primary series, they can get the Bivalent Booster Shot (their 3rd shot).
- Here’s the Vaccine Schedule For These Children:
Dose #1 (Primary Series) –> [3-8 Weeks Later] –> Dose #2 (Primary Series) –> [at Least 2 Months Later] –> Dose #3 (Either Pfizer’s Bivalent Booster Shot OR Moderna’s Bivalent Booster Shot, Feel Free to Mix & Match).
Insider Info: The CDC recommends that your child get the same vaccine for each of the shots in her primary series. For instance, if your child received the Moderna vaccine for her very first COVID-19 shot, then she should get the Moderna vaccine for her second shot in the primary series. The same goes for Pfizer. However, Kids 6 & Up Who Have Completed Pfizer’s Primary Series Can Get Pfizer’s OR Moderna’s Booster Shot (And, As You’ll See Below, Kids 5 & Up Who Have Completed Moderna’s Primary Series Can Get Either Booster Shot, As Well).
Reality Check: At this point in the game, many kids 5 & older have already gotten their initial primary series plus a monovalent (read: less fancy) booster shot that doesn’t protect against the Omicron variant. These children should still get a Bivalent Booster Shot (aka a 4th shot in this case) as early as 2 months after their last booster.
Ok, Now Let’s Take a Look at Moderna’s COVID-19 Dosing Schedule for Kids 6 Months-11 Years. Like Pfizer’s Dosing Schedule, Moderna’s Schedule Varies by Age Group.
ALL “healthy” (aka not moderately or severely immunocompromised) kids only need 2 doses of Moderna’s primary COVID vaccine (regardless of their age). After that, children 6 months – 4 years are eligible for Moderna’s “bivalent” booster shot, whereas kids 5 years & up can get either Pfizer’s “bivalent” booster shot OR Moderna’s “bivalent” booster shot.
The Moderna Vaccine Schedule for Kids 6 Months-4 Years:
Dose #1 of Moderna (Primary Series) –> [4-8 Weeks Later] –> Dose #2 of Moderna (Primary Series) –> [At Least 2 Months Later] –> Moderna’s Bivalent Booster Shot.
The Moderna Vaccine Schedule for Kids Who are 5 Years & Older:
Dose #1 of Moderna (Primary Series) –> [4-8 Weeks Later] –> Dose #2 of Moderna (Primary Series) –> [At Least 2 Months Later] –> Moderna’s Bivalent Booster Shot OR Pfizer’s Bivalent Booster Shot (Feel Free to Mix & Match).
Confused Yet?
If so, check out the charts below for a summary of the COVID vaccine schedules for Pfizer and Moderna. The vaccine schedules for kids who are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised are included as well.
FAQs About the COVID Vaccines For Children:
Which COVID Vaccine is Better for Kids: Pfizer or Moderna?
Per the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (the AAP), both of these mRNA vaccines are effective against COVID-19. To be honest, these organizations don’t really care which vaccine you give your child, they just want you to get him/her vaccinated.
The Bottom Line: Although there are slight differences between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both work well against COVID-19. In the end, get the one that’s most readily available.
I’m Sick of Giving My Child All of These COVID Shots. Does He/She Really Need a Booster Shot (if He/She is Eligible For One)?
The Short Answer: Yes (according to the CDC & the AAP).
The Longer Answer:
The protection that we get from vaccines wanes over time for certain viruses. In addition, the COVID-19 virus is constantly mutating and producing new variants (and subvariants). In order to match these new variants, we need new booster shots (hello bivalent booster!).
The purpose of the COVID-19 booster shots is to protect us against new variants and to bolster our waning immunity. Booster shots are nothing new and we have them for many vaccines, including the DTap (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine), the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) and the Varicella (aka chickenpox) vaccine.
Why Do Moderately-to-Severely Immunocompromised People (i.e. Those with Weakened Immune Systems) Need Vaccine a Different Vaccine Schedule?
Because their weakened immune system needs some extra help (think extra shots closer together) to mount a robust immune response to the COVID-19 virus. Get Wise(r) about Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine schedules for moderately-to-severely immunocompromised children.
My Child Just Had COVID. Should I Wait to Get His Next (COVID Vaccine Dose?
The CDC says it’s reasonable to delay the next vaccine dose by 3 months from the positive test OR from the start of your child’s symptoms.1 This is true whether the vaccine is part of the primary series or is a booster shot. Run this by your child’s pediatrician, though, first.
The Charts Below Will Hopefully Make Things a Bit Easier to Understand.
The Pfizer COVID Vaccine Chart for Children With Robust Immune Systems:
| The Type of Pfizer Vaccine | 6 Months – 4 Years | 5 Years Old | 5 – 11 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Primary Pfizer Vaccine Series | 3 Doses: 1. Dose #1 [3-8 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 [8 Weeks Later] 3. Dose #3 Note: These kids are considered “up-to-date” on their COVID-19 immunizations 2 weeks after receiving their 3rd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. | 2 Doses (3-8 Weeks Apart) 1. Dose #1 [3-8 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 | 2 Doses (3-8 Weeks Apart) 1. Dose #1 [3-8 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 |
| The Pfizer Bivalent Booster Shot | None (this age group isn’t eligible for the bivalent booster shot yet). | One dose of the Pfizer bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 2nd dose in Pfizer’s primary series (or after the last monovalent booster shot). These kids are considered up-to-date immediately after receiving their bivalent booster shot. | One dose of EITHER Pfizer’s bivalent booster shot or Moderna’s bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 2nd dose in Pfizer’s primary series (or after the last monovalent booster shot). These kids are considered up-to-date immediately after receiving their bivalent booster shot. |
The Moderna COVID Vaccine Chart for Children With Robust Immune Systems:
| The Type of Moderna Vaccine | 6 Months – 4 Years | 5 – 11 Years Old |
|---|---|---|
| The Primary Moderna Vaccine Series | 2 Doses (4-8 Weeks Apart): 1. Dose #1 [4-8 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 | 2 Doses (4-8 Weeks Apart) 1. Dose #1 [4-8 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 |
| The Moderna Bivalent Booster Shot | One dose of the Moderna bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 2nd dose in Moderna’s primary series. | One dose of EITHER Moderna’s bivalent booster shot OR Pfizer‘s bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 2nd dose in Moderna’s primary series (or after the last monovalent booster shot). These kids are considered up-to-date immediately after receiving their bivalent booster shot. |
The Pfizer Chart for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised Children
The CDC recommends that kids 5-11 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised get an extra dose of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine in their primary vaccine series. The CDC also shortened the dosing intervals for ALL the age groups to maximize the children’s immune response to the vaccines.
| The Type of Pfizer Vaccine | 6 Months – 4 Years | 5 Years Old | 6 – 11 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Primary Pfizer Vaccine Series | 3 Doses: 1. Dose #1 [3 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 [At Least 8 Weeks Later] 3. Dose #3 (Bivalent Primary Vaccine) Note: These kids are considered “up-to-date” on their COVID-19 immunizations 2 weeks after receiving their 3rd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. | 3 Doses: 1. Dose #1 [3 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 [At Least 4 Weeks Later] 3. Dose #3 | 3 Doses: 1. Dose #1 [3 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 [At Least 4 Weeks Later] 3. Dose #3 |
| The Pfizer Bivalent Booster Shot | None (this age group isn’t eligible for the bivalent booster shot yet). | One dose of the Pfizer bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 3rd dose in Pfizer’s primary series (or after the last monovalent booster shot). These kids are considered up-to-date immediately after receiving their bivalent booster shot. | One dose of EITHER Pfizer’s bivalent booster shot OR Moderna’s bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 3rd dose in Pfizer’s primary series (or after the last monovalent booster shot). These kids are considered up-to-date immediately after receiving their bivalent booster shot. |
The Moderna Chart for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised Children
The CDC recommends that kids 6 months-11 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised get an extra dose of Moderna’s COVID vaccine in their primary vaccine series. The CDC also shortened the dosing intervals for ALL the age groups to maximize the children’s immune response to the vaccines.
| The Type of Moderna Vaccine | 6 Months – 4 Years | 5 Years – 11 Old |
|---|---|---|
| The Primary Moderna Vaccine Series | 3 Doses: 1. Dose #1 [4 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 [At Least 4 Weeks Later] 3. Dose #3 | 3 Doses: 1. Dose #1 [4 Weeks Later] 2. Dose #2 [At Least 4 Weeks Later] 3. Dose #3 |
| The Moderna Bivalent Booster Shot | One dose of the Moderna bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 2nd dose in Moderna’s primary series. | One dose of EITHER Moderna’s bivalent booster shot OR Pfizer‘s bivalent booster shot at least 2 months after the 2nd dose in Moderna’s primary series (or after the last monovalent booster shot). These kids are considered up-to-date immediately after receiving their bivalent booster shot. |
The Bottom Line
I know that I just threw a bunch of info at you. The details of the various vaccines can be a little overwhelming, but the good news is that you don’t have to know all of them (or maybe any of them). In the end, all you need to do is go to the chart, find your child’s age (and level of immunity) and the vaccine that he/she is going to get, and simply follow the recommendations. If you’re lucky, your child’s pediatrician will just tell you what to do, so you don’t have to deal with any of it.