You can get a COVID-19 vaccine starting at 6 months old. That’s the minimum age recommended by the CDC for the 2025-2026 vaccine formula, though the specific brand available to you depends on your age group. No one is too old to get vaccinated, and adults of any age are eligible.
Age Requirements by Vaccine Brand
Four COVID-19 vaccines are available for the 2025-2026 season, each with its own age cutoff:
- Moderna Spikevax: Ages 6 months and older. This is one of only two options for the youngest children.
- Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty: Ages 5 years and older.
- Moderna mNexspike: Ages 12 years and older.
- Novavax Nuvaxovid: Ages 12 years and older. This is a protein-based vaccine rather than an mRNA vaccine, which some people prefer.
If your child is between 6 months and 4 years old, Moderna Spikevax is the only available option. Children ages 5 through 11 can choose between Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech. Once you or your child turns 12, all four vaccines become available.
Children Get a Smaller Dose
Young children don’t receive the same dose as adults. The vaccine is adjusted by age group to match what’s appropriate for a child’s smaller body and developing immune system. Infants and children from 6 months through 11 years receive half the volume of Moderna Spikevax compared to adults. The Pfizer-BioNTech dose for children ages 5 through 11 also contains less active ingredient than the version given to teens and adults.
At age 12 and up, doses match what adults receive across all brands.
What “Individual-Based Decision-Making” Means
The CDC’s current recommendation uses the phrase “individual-based decision-making” for people 6 months and older. This is different from the stronger universal recommendations issued earlier in the pandemic. In practical terms, it means the vaccine is recommended and available for everyone in that age range, but the CDC encourages people to weigh their own risk factors, such as age, underlying health conditions, and exposure level, when deciding whether to get vaccinated.
For older adults and people with chronic health conditions, the case for vaccination is stronger. The FDA’s full approval of Moderna Spikevax specifically covers adults 65 and older, and people 6 months through 64 who have at least one underlying condition that raises their risk of severe COVID-19.
Consent Rules for Minors
There is no federal law requiring a specific form of informed consent for immunization. Rules about whether minors can consent to vaccination on their own, or whether a parent or guardian must be present, vary entirely by state. Some states allow teenagers to consent to their own medical care, including vaccines, at ages ranging from 12 to 16. Others require parental permission for anyone under 18. Check with your state or local health department for the specific rules where you live.
Where to Get Vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccines are available at pharmacies, pediatrician offices, community health centers, and local health departments. Most pharmacies can vaccinate children as young as 3, though the exact age they’ll accept varies by state and pharmacy chain. For infants and toddlers under 3, a pediatrician’s office or health department clinic is typically the best option, since pharmacies in many states aren’t authorized to vaccinate very young children.
You don’t need a prescription. Walk-ins are accepted at many locations, though scheduling an appointment can reduce wait times, especially for pediatric doses that may not be stocked at every site.