There are differences between the vaccine types, but all three vaccines currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are highly effective based on trials. If you are aged 6 months to 17 years, the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 are the only FDA authorized vaccine you to received. Adults can receive any of the three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson.
| Vaccine type: | Age Requirements | Doses required | Recommended Time Between Doses |
| Pediatric Pfizer | 6 months – 4 years | 3 | 21 days between 1st and 2nd, then 56 days between 2nd and 3rd |
| Pediatric Pfizer: mRNA vaccine | 5 – 11 years |
2 |
21 days |
| Pfizer: mRNA vaccine | 12+ | 2 | 21 days |
| Pediatric Moderna: mRNA vaccine | 6 months – 17 years | 2 | 28 days |
| Moderna: mRNA vaccine | 18+ | 2 | 28 days |
| Johnson & Johnson: Viral vector vaccine | 18+ | 1 | N/A |
You can talk with your medical provider if you have specific questions or concerns that may lead you to want to seek out one specific COVID-19 vaccine versus another. If you are aged 6 months to 17 years old, you may only receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
View the FDA fact sheets on each vaccine:
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet