What You Need to Know
- Vaccine recommendations are based on age, time since last dose, and in some cases, the first vaccine received.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromisedhave specific recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
- Side effects after a COVID-19 vaccine are common, however severe allergic reactionsafter getting a COVID-19 vaccine arerare.
Types of COVID-19 Vaccines Available
Vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently include:
- Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines which are mRNA vaccines.
- Novavax COVID-19 vaccine which is a protein subunit vaccine.
- J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, a viral vector vaccine has expired and is no longer available for use in the United Statesas of May 6, 2023.
These vaccines are given as a shot in the muscle of the upper arm or in the thigh of a young child. COVID-19 vaccine ingredients are considered safe for most people. Nearly all of the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are ingredients found in many foods—fats, sugar, and salts.None of the COVID-19 vaccines affect or interact with our DNAand the following arenotincluded in the vaccines:
- No preservatives such as thimerosal or mercury or any other preservatives.
- No antibiotics such as sulfonamide or any other antibiotics.
- No medicines or therapeutics such as ivermectin or any other medications.
- No tissues such as aborted fetal cells, gelatin, or any materials from any animal.
- No food proteins such as eggs or egg products, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, nut products, or any nut byproducts. (COVID-19 vaccines are not manufactured in facilities that produce food products).
- No metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, or rare earth alloys. They also do not have any manufactured products like microelectronics, electrodes, carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures, or nanowire semiconductors.
- No latex. The vial stoppers used to hold the vaccine also do not contain latex.
After the body produces an immune response, it discards all of the vaccine ingredients, just as it would discard any substance that cells no longer need. This process is a part of normal body functioning.
Dosage: COVID-19 vaccine dose amountscan vary depending on the type of vaccine being given, or due to the recipient’s age.
COVID-19 vaccine doses and timing are different for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Vaccines for Immunocompromised
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The mRNA from the vaccines is broken down within a few days after vaccination and discarded from the body.
Vaccine Schedule
Learn about the recommended timing for Pfizer-BioNTech updated COVID-19 vaccines for people:
Children Aged 6 Months—5 YearsEveryone Aged 6 Years and Older
Ingredients in Vaccine Formula for Children
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months–11 years contains only the following ingredients:
Type
Type
Type
Ingredient
Ingredient
Ingredient
Purpose
Purpose
Purpose
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
Type
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Ingredient
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Purpose
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Lipids (fats)
Type
Lipids (fats)
- 2[(polyethylene glycol (PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol (plant derived)
- ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
Ingredient
- 2[(polyethylene glycol (PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol (plant derived)
- ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Purpose
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Sugar and acid stabilizers
Type
Sugar and acid stabilizers
- Sucrose (table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
Ingredient
- Sucrose (table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
Work together to help keep the vaccine molecules stable while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Purpose
Work together to help keep the vaccine molecules stable while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA):
Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Purpose
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Lipids (fats):
- 2[(polyethylene glycol (PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol (plant derived)
- (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
Purpose
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Sugar and acid stabilizers:
- Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
- Monobasic potassium phosphate
- Potassium chloride (common food salt)
- Sodium chloride (basic table salt)
- Sucrose (basic table sugar)
Purpose
Work together to help keep the vaccine molecules stable while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Ingredients in Vaccine Formula for Teens and Adults
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for teens and adults ages 12 years and older contains only the following ingredients:
Type
Type
Type
Ingredient
Ingredient
Ingredient
Purpose
Purpose
Purpose
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
Type
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Ingredient
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Purpose
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Lipids (fats)
Type
Lipids (fats)
- 2[(polyethylene glycol (PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol (plant derived)
- ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
Ingredient
- 2[(polyethylene glycol (PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol (plant derived)
- ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Purpose
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Sugar and acid stabilizers
Type
Sugar and acid stabilizers
- Sucrose (table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
Ingredient
- Sucrose (table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
Work together to help keep the vaccine in good condition (molecules remain stable) while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Purpose
Work together to help keep the vaccine in good condition (molecules remain stable) while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Resources
Fact sheets for recipients and caregivers-Ingredients, how vaccine is administered, and other details from the FDA:
Other clinical information:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA):
Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Purpose
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Lipids (fats):
- 2[(polyethylene glycol (PEG))-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide1
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- Cholesterol (plant derived)
- ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
Purpose
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Salts and sugar:
- Sucrose (table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
Purpose
Work together to help keep the vaccine molecules stable while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Resources
Fact sheets for recipients and caregivers-Ingredients, how vaccine is administered, and other details from the FDA:
Other clinical information:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information
Vaccine Schedule
Learn about the recommended timing for Moderna updated COVID-19 vaccines for people:
Children Aged 6 Months—5 YearsEveryone Aged 6 Years and Older
Ingredients
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older contains only the following ingredients:
Type
Type
Type
Ingredient
Ingredient
Ingredient
Purpose
Purpose
Purpose
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
Type
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Ingredient
- Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Purpose
Provides instructions the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Lipids (fats)
Type
Lipids (fats)
- PEG2000-DMG: 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol, methoxypolyethylene glycol
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- BotaniChol® (non-animal origin cholesterol)
- SM-102: heptadecane-9-yl 8-((2-hydroxyethyl) (6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy) hexyl) amino) octanoate
Ingredient
- PEG2000-DMG: 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol, methoxypolyethylene glycol
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- BotaniChol® (non-animal origin cholesterol)
- SM-102: heptadecane-9-yl 8-((2-hydroxyethyl) (6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy) hexyl) amino) octanoate
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Purpose
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Salt, sugar, acid stabilizers, and acid
Type
Salt, sugar, acid stabilizers, and acid
- Sodium acetate
- Sucrose (basic table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
- Acetic acid (the main ingredient in white household vinegar)
Ingredient
- Sodium acetate
- Sucrose (basic table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
- Acetic acid (the main ingredient in white household vinegar)
Work together to help keep the vaccine in good condition (molecules remain stable) while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Purpose
Work together to help keep the vaccine in good condition (molecules remain stable) while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Resources
Fact sheets for recipients and caregivers- Ingredients, how vaccine is administered, and other details from the FDA:
Other clinical information:
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA):
Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2
Purpose
Provides instructions that the body uses to build a harmless piece of a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein causes an immune response that helps protect the body from getting sick with COVID-19 in the future.
Lipids (fats):
- PEG2000-DMG: 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol, methoxypolyethylene glycol
- 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
- BotaniChol® (non-animal origin cholesterol)
- SM-102: heptadecane-9-yl 8-((2-hydroxyethyl) (6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy) hexyl) amino) octanoate
Purpose
Work together to help the mRNA enter cells.
Salt, sugar, acid stabilizers, and acid:
- Sodium acetate
- Sucrose (basic table sugar)
- Tromethamine
- Tromethamine hydrochloride
- Acetic acid (the main ingredient in white household vinegar)
Purpose
Work together to help keep the vaccine molecules stable while the vaccine is manufactured, frozen, shipped, and stored until it is ready to be given to a vaccine recipient.
Resources
Fact sheets for recipients and caregivers- Ingredients, how vaccine is administered, and other details from the FDA:
Other clinical information:
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information