COVID-19 vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full use authorization for the following COVID-19 vaccines:

• The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, for people 18 years of age and older (two doses, administered 21 days apart, are needed)
• The Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine, for people 16 years of age and older (two doses, administered 21 days apart, are needed)

According to the FDA, “the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.”

The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for the following COVID-19 vaccines:

• The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, for people between the ages of 6 months and 15 (two doses, administered 21 days apart, are needed for people 5 and older; 3 doses for children younger than 5)
• The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children between 6 months old and 5 (2 doses)
• The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, for people 18 years old and older (one dose needed)

The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses children younger than 5 need depends on the type of vaccine the child receives.

• Pfizer vaccine: 3-shot regimen, with the first two shots given between 3 and 8 weeks apart and the last shot given at least 2 months later
• Moderna vaccine: 2-shot regimen given between 4 and 8 weeks apart

According to the FDA, caregivers should feel comfortable getting either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for a child.

Resources for parents or guardians of children newly eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine

Get regular vaccination updates on vaccine eligibility

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to help protect you from the virus, but protection against the virus may decrease over time.

Whether you need a booster dose depends on:

• Your age
• Your risk for exposure
• The vaccine you received

The CDC recommends everyone eligible for the booster get it.

The CDC also recommends a second booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster for:

• Adults ages 50 years and older
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Check out this guide from the CDC about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, when to get the vaccine, and when to get a booster depending on your age

Use the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) online service to:

• Determine vaccine eligibility
• Find a list of locations where the COVID-19 vaccine is available in Ohio
• Set up a vaccine appointment

The Ohio Department of Health has developed a search tool for Ohioans to use to find a vaccine provider. The directory:

• Is searchable by county and ZIP code
• Displays providers currently receiving shipments of COVID-19 vaccines

You can get information and vaccination locations by:

• Using the ODH COVID-19 vaccine search tool
• Calling ODH at 833-427-5634