Safe. Effective. Free.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and 100% free for everyone 5 and up in California’s 58 counties. Young people ages 5 and up are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Learn more about why the vaccine is one of our most powerful tools to ending the pandemic.
It is recommended that everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine, and a booster when eligible, to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccinating children can help protect family members who are at increased risk for getting sick if they are infected or are not yet eligible for vaccination. Vaccination can help keep kids in school and safely participate in group activities. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been authorized for children ages 5 – 15 and approved for teens 16 – 17. COVID-19 vaccine dosage varies by age on the day of vaccination.
- Youth ages 12 years and older receive the same dose as adults
- Children ages 5 through 11 receive a half dose.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children contains the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and youth 12+.
- A second shot of the vaccine should be administered three weeks after the first dose.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven safe and effective for children based on data from clinical trials. All COVID-19 vaccines continue to be rigorously monitored.