Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine it is the only licensed or approved vaccine for children 5 through 17 years of age. Children and adolescents need two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. All persons 12 years of age or older should also receive a booster dose.
Learn more about how stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinationsincluding when to receive each dose.
Dosage of COVID-19 vaccines depends on age on the day of vaccination, not weight
- Ages 12 to 17 receive the same dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as adults.
- Children ages 5 to 11 receive a lower dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine that is suitable for the younger age group.
Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to people 12 years of age and older. However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for adolescents and adults can not be used in children 5 to 11 years of age.
Children and adolescents who have already had COVID-19 should still be vaccinated
Emerging evidence indicates that people may get additional protection if they get vaccinated after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. So if a child had COVID-19, she should get vaccinated anyway. Read the scientific report about the immunity from virus infection and vaccination against COVID-19.
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Vaccines against COVID-19 and other vaccines can be given at the same time
Children and teens can get the COVID-19 vaccine along with other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, at the same time. If several vaccines are given at the same time, each injection will be given in a different area, according to recommendations by age.
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