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Overview of the COVID Vaccines for Ages 6 months to 5 years

The FDA authorized emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on June 17, 2022. Following this authorization, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended on June 18, 2022, that all children six months through five should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Tuesday, June 21, nearly 3 million doses of the vaccines had been delivered to vaccine providers nationwide. 

Dosing Schedules:

  • A 3-dose primary series of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine authorized for infants and children six months through four years (this product has a maroon vial cap)

    • Each dose is 0.2 mL (3 mcg); separate dose one and dose two by 3–8 weeks, followed by dose three at least eight weeks after dose 2
  • A 2-dose primary series of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine authorized for infants and children six months through 5 years (this product has a dark blue vial cap and a label with a magenta border)
    • Each dose is 0.25 mL (25 mcg); separate dose one and dose two by 4–8 weeks
Dosing References:
Key Considerations:
Dosing information and other clinical considerations are detailed in CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines. Some key considerations include:
  • Interchangeability: The same mRNA vaccine product should be used for all doses in the primary series, except when the previously administered mRNA vaccine product cannot be determined or is unavailable. Children ages six months through four years who receive different mRNA products for the first two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series should follow a 3-dose schedule. A third dose of either mRNA vaccine should be administered at least eight weeks after the second dose to complete the 3-dose primary series.
  • Age transitions: FDA authorization of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine allows children who will turn from age four years to five years between any dose in the primary series to receive:
    • A 2-dose primary series using the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine product authorized for children ages five-eleven years
    • OR a 3-dose primary series initiated with the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine product authorized for children ages six months to four years. Each of doses 2 and 3 may be with the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine product authorized for children ages six months to four years, or the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine product authorized for children ages five-eleven years.
  • Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals:
    • Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Children ages six months through four years should receive a 3-dose primary series. The first and second doses are separated by three weeks and the second and third doses are separated by at least eight weeks. Currently, a booster dose is not authorized for this age group.
    • Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: Children ages six months through five years should receive a 3-dose primary series. The first and second doses are separated by four weeks, and the second and third doses are separated by at least four weeks. Currently, a booster dose is not authorized for children in this age group.

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