Different COVID-19 Vaccines
| Topic | Pfizer* | Moderna | NOVAVAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency use in the U.S. | Yes, for ages 6 months+ with full FDA approval for ages 12+ | Yes, for ages 6 months+ with full FDA approval for ages 18+ | Yes, for ages 12+ |
| Primary vaccination series by Age groups | 6 months - 4 years: 3 bivalent doses (3-8 weeks between dose 1 and 2, at least 8 weeks between dose 2 and 3)
5 years and older: 1 bivalent dose |
6 months - 5 years: 2 bivalent doses 4 - 8 weeks apart
6 years and older: 1 bivalent dose |
12+ years: 2 shots given 3-8 weeks apart
|
| Optional additional dose | 2 months after last bivalent vaccine for immunocompromised; 4 months after last bivalent vaccine for persons 65+ | 2 months after last bivalent vaccine for immunocompromised; 4 months after last bivalent vaccine for persons 65+ | 6 months after second shot for anyone over age 18** |
| Vaccine type | mRNA | mRNA | Adjuvanted |
| How it works | This mRNA vaccine helps teach our immune system to recognize COVID-19 | This mRNA vaccine helps teach our immune system to recognize COVID-19 | The vaccine contains an inactive viral protein with an added ingredient to help boost the immune system response to provide protection |
| Common side effects | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and fever | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and fever | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea and fever |
| Potential allergens | Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex | Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex | Doesn’t contain eggs, preservatives or latex |
| Time to maximum protection from primary series | Two weeks after 2nd dose | Two weeks after 2nd dose | 2 weeks after receipt of 2nd dose |
If viewing this chart on your phone, scroll to the left to see all vaccines.
*See schedule for COVID-19 vaccination for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
**A monovalent Novavax booster dose (instead of a bivalent mRNA vaccine) may be used in limited situations in people ages 18 years and older who completed a primary series using any COVID-19 vaccine, have not received any previous booster dose(s), and are unable (i.e., contraindicated or not available) or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.