Information via the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Vaccinations for Children
COVID-19 vaccines are available for children ages 6 months and older.
The vaccines will help your child develop immunity and provide them with protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Children may experience similar side effects of vaccination as adults, with usually mild effects lasting one to two days.
The more contagious variants of COVID-19 that have been spreading have caused some children to get sick, be hospitalized and die. The best way to protect your child is to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.
Vaccination Schedule
Children younger than 5 years should get the same vaccine for their second (and third) doses of their primary series as they received for their first dose. They will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after either their third Pfizer dose or second Moderna dose.
Pfizer
- Ages: 6 months to 4 years
- Doses: Three
- Schedule: Second dose taken at least 21 days (3 weeks) days after the first, and the third dose taken at least 56 days (8 weeks) days after the second.
Moderna
- Ages: 6 months to 5 years
- Doses: Two
- Schedule: Second dose delivered at least 28 days (4 weeks) after the first.
Consent Required
A parent or guardian must provide consent for their child to be vaccinated in person, by phone or in writing, depending on the vaccination site. They will not need to provide proof they are the child’s parent or guardian.
Children ages 15 and younger should be accompanied to the vaccination site by a parent or guardian, or another adult caregiver designated by the parent or guardian.
The parent or guardian must also have a completed New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form.
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Children: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | Русский | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어 | বাংলা | Italiano | Polski | العربية | Français | ײִדיש | اردو - NYC Department of Education: COVID-19 Vaccination for Students
Booster Shots
Vaccine boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and older. These shots increase your immunity from an initial vaccination series.
Anyone who received a second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago, should get a booster.
If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date.
If you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 or of getting COVID-19 again, it may be better to get a booster as soon as you are eligible. Talk to your provider about when you should get your next vaccine.
The Health Department recommends you get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your booster.
Second Booster
The CDC recommends a second booster dose for all people who are 50 or older, 12 or older and moderately or severely immunocompromised, or 18 or older and have received a primary dose and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you are eligible, you should get your second booster four months after your first. The second booster must be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date.
Review the CDC’s guidance on how to decide if you should get a second booster. If you have questions, talk to your provider or call 212-COVID-19 (212-268-4319).
- COVID-19 Vaccine Third Doses vs. Boosters (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | Русский | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어 | বাংলা | Italiano | Polski | العربية | Français | ײִדיש | اردو
Additional Doses for People with a Weakened Immune System
Separate from boosters, people ages 5 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) should get an additional vaccine dose, as part of their primary vaccine series. They can get a third dose 28 days after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or their single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, get the same vaccine type for your additional dose. If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you must get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your additional dose.
This shot is intended to help people who may not have had a strong response to the first two shots due to a medical condition or treatment. People ages 12 and older who receive this shot should also get at least one booster when eligible.