Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Children Ages 6 Months and Older

Posted June 21, 2022

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and older. The Moderna vaccine is for children ages 6 months to 5 years and is a two-dose primary series, while the Pfizer vaccine is for children ages 6 months to 4 years, and is a three-dose primary series. The CDC has additional information about doses. Possible vaccine side effects are the same as other pediatric vaccines and may include fever, tiredness, irritability and tenderness at the injection site.

Johns Hopkins Medicine will offer vaccines for these age groups starting on Friday, June 24 through our Maryland locations. Check this web page for updates on vaccine clinic hours and locations. Information will also be posted regarding availability of vaccine brand type (Moderna or Pfizer) by location.

Vaccines and Boosters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend, COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone 5 and older. Individuals are up to date on vaccines and boosters after receiving all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended, when eligible.

Vaccines: Individuals 6 months and older are fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the final dose in the primary series.

• Vaccine recommendations are different depending on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose. For details, please review the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
• COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised include an additional dose in their primary series. For details, please review the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Boosters

1 booster: The CDC recommends everyone 5 and older get a booster when eligible. Please review the CDC’s booster guidelines for details. (Timelines will vary for those who are immunocompromised.)

2 boosters: The CDC recommends a second booster for the following groups:

• Adults 50 and older
• Those 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Please review the CDC’s booster guidelines for details.

Safety Guidelines

Face masks are required to enter any of our care facilities and expected to be worn at all times, even if you are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. We will provide a mask if needed.

Neck gaiters, bandanas, masks with exhalation valves, or clear shield-like face masks are not permitted to be worn as face coverings at Johns Hopkins Medicine facilities.