All people age 6 months and older in the United States are recommended to receive one or more doses of an age-appropriate 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccination. Product options include two mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) and one protein subunit vaccine (Novavax). Schedules vary by age and immunocompromised status.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
CDC has published the following summary of 2024–25 season routine COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for people age 6 months and older:
- Children ages 6 months–4 years
- Unvaccinated: Should receive a multidose initial series with a 2024–2025 mRNA vaccine
- Previously completed an initial series: Should receive 1 dose of a 2024–2025 mRNA vaccine from the same manufacturer as the initial series*
- People ages 5–64 years: Should receive 1 dose of an age-appropriate 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine†
- People ages 65 years and older: Should receive 2 doses of any 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, spaced 6 months (minimum interval 2 months) apart‡
*For children ages 6 months–4 years who initiated but did not complete an initial series, consult CDC Table 1, linked below.
†People ages 12–64 years who are unvaccinated and receive the 2024–2025 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for initial vaccination should receive 2 doses of 2024–2025 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine.
‡People ages 65 years and older who are unvaccinated and receive Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for initial vaccination should receive 2 doses of 2024–2025 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine followed by a third dose of any 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose 6 months (minimum interval 2 months) after the second dose.
See CDC Table 1 for complete details of the routine schedule, dose, and dosing intervals for people age 6 months or older: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html#table-01.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
CDC has published the following summary of 2024–25 season recommendations for people age 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:
- Unvaccinated: Should receive a multidose initial series with an age-appropriate 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine and 1 dose of a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months (minimum interval 2 months) after completing the initial series
- Previously completed an initial series: Should receive 2 doses of an age-appropriate 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, spaced 6 months (minimum interval 2 months) apart*
- May receive additional age-appropriate 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine doses based upon clinical judgment, patient preference, and circumstances
*For people ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised who initiated but did not complete an initial series, consult CDC Table 2, linked below.
See CDC Table 2 for complete details of the schedule, brands, dose, and dosing intervals for people age 6 months or older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html#table-02.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
CDC recommends that all doses of COVID-19 vaccine given to children age 6 months through 4 years be from the same manufacturer. In this case, and in other situations where the same brand is recommended for multiple doses, CDC sets out conditions when it is acceptable to use an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine from a different manufacturer:
- Same vaccine not available at the time of the clinic visit
- Previous dose unknown
- Person would otherwise not receive a recommended vaccine dose
- Person starts but unable to complete a vaccination series with the same COVID-19 vaccine due to a contraindication
Therefore, it is acceptable to vaccinate these children with the available product. Note that children age 6 months through 4 years who receive a mixed brand primary series will need a total of 3 doses to complete the primary series.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
Individuals with moderate to severe immunocompromise who have completed a primary series should receive one dose of 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine this season followed by a second dose 6 months (minimum 2 months) later. Additional doses of 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine may be administered (with a minimum two-month interval) based on the clinical judgment of the individual’s healthcare provider and the recipient’s personal preference and circumstances.
The option to receive additional doses is offered because COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness declines most rapidly in people with moderate to severe immunocompromise. Such people also have the highest risk of hospitalization with COVID-19 if infected. Although protection against severe disease is more durable than protection against milder illness, individuals in these groups may benefit from shorter intervals between doses.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available for use in the United States. The last remaining doses expired May 7, 2023. People who received 1 or 2 Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine doses are recommended to receive one 2024–2025 Formula dose (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax).
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
Yes. Vaccination should be offered regardless of history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Viral testing to assess for current SARS-CoV-2 infection or serologic testing to assess for prior infection for the purposes of vaccine decision-making is not recommended. However, as with all vaccines, vaccination should be deferred until after recovery from moderate to severe illness. In addition, to minimize the risk of exposing others to SARS-CoV-2 virus, vaccination of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 generally should be deferred until the person does not pose a risk of infection to others.
Although not required, people who recently had SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider delaying a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose by up to 3 months from symptom onset or positive test (if infection was asymptomatic). Among vaccine recipients at increased risk of post-vaccination myocarditis (such as males age 12 through 39 years), an increased interval may reduce the rare risk of myocarditis after vaccination. A recipient’s individual risks for severe disease and current COVID-19 conditions in the community should be taken into account when deciding whether to delay vaccination up to 3 months after infection.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
CDC defines an “additional primary dose” as a subsequent dose of vaccine administered to people who are less likely to develop a protective immune response after initial vaccination because of moderate or severe immunocompromise. All previously unvaccinated people with moderate or severe immunocompromise are recommended to receive an initial 3-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 series or 2-dose primary Novavax protein vaccine series.
CDC defines a “booster dose” as a subsequent dose of vaccine administered to enhance or restore protection which might have declined over time after primary series vaccination.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
ACIP has recommended that all adults age 65 years and older receive a second dose of the 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their first 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine dose (minimum interval of 2 months). However, ACIP has not made any standing COVID-19 vaccination recommendations that go beyond the 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccines.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
In general, CDC recommends waiting a minimum of 8 weeks (2 months) since the last 2023–2024 Formula COVID-19 vaccine to receive an age-appropriate 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine.
Any person who initiated a COVID-19 vaccination primary series (e.g., a child 6 months through 4 years or a person with moderate or severe immunocompromise) with a previous formulation should follow the age-appropriate recommended schedule for completion of their primary series with the 2024–2025 formula of the same brand, if feasible.
Last reviewed:
November 16, 2024
