Vaccines for COVID-19 help your body make the antibodies needed for your immune system to fight off the virus if you are exposed to it.
Three COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19: the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) and Novavax (spike protein vaccine with adjuvant). Novavax is an alternative COVID-19 vaccine if you are unable or unwilling to take the updated 2023-2024 mRNA vaccine.
Who is eligible to receive the vaccine and boosters?
All individuals ages 6 months and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine:
- Everyone aged 5 years and older should get one dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional does of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- Children aged 6 months to 4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 Vaccines to be up to date, including at least one dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Click here to review the details of the CDC's latest vaccine recommendations for different age groups.
Where can I get vaccinated?
COVID vaccines are now widely available, and most pharmacies in the United States offer them. You can use the Vaccines.gov website to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment. You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 800.232.0233 to find a vaccine location close to you.