COVID-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, Spikevax (2026-2027)

COVID-19 is a serious illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). COVID-19 spreads from person to person through the air.

COVID-19 can impact your lungs or other organs. Symptoms can be mild or severe and may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The Spikevax vaccine is used to prevent COVID-19 in children who have never been vaccinated before or who have already received a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Spikevax vaccine is intended for children ages 6 months to 11 years old who are at high risk for severe COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain coronavirus and cannot give your child COVID-19. This vaccine will not treat an active COVID-19 infection.

Like any vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine may not provide protection in every person.

Read all vaccine information sheets provided to you.

Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle.

Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given to children 6 months to 23 months of age in the following ways:

• unvaccinated children: two doses of Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine are given. The second dose is given 1 month after the first dose.
• children who have received one dose of a previous version of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: a single dose of Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given 1 month after their last dose.
• children who have received two or more doses of a previous version of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: a single dose of Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given at least 2 months after their last dose.

Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given to children 2 to 11 years old in the following ways:

• unvaccinated children: a single dose of Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given.
• children who have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine: a single dose of Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine is given at least 2 months after the last dose.

The doctor or vaccination provider will determine whether an immunocompromised child needs additional doses.

Keep using infection control methods when your child is in public or around others who may not have been vaccinated. This includes social distancing, hand-washing, using a protective face covering, disinfecting surfaces you touch frequently, and not sharing personal items with others.

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not cause your child to test positive on a coronavirus test. However, once the body develops immunity to COVID-19, your child could test positive on an antibody test (a test to detect immunity in the body from previous exposure to coronavirus).

It is not known how long this vaccine will protect your child from infection with COVID-19. It also is not known how long immunity will last in a person who has been infected with and recovered from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine is still being studied and all of its risks are not yet known. Updated federal public health recommendations may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html.

Getting infected with COVID-19 could be much riskier for your health than getting this vaccine.

Your child should not get this vaccine if they had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of SPIKEVAX or a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or if they have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in this vaccine.

If your child has COVID-19, is waiting for test results, or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19: your child may not be able to receive this vaccine until they have no symptoms and/or the required quarantine period is over. Getting this vaccine will not make your child less contagious to others if they are infected with COVID-19 but have no symptoms.

Ask your child's doctor if you have questions about any COVID-19 treatments your child has received.

Tell the vaccination provider if your child:

• has any allergies;
• has had inflammation in or around their heart (myocarditis or pericarditis);
• has a fever;
• has bleeding problems or is using a blood thinner;
• has a weak immune system due to a disease or certain medicines (this vaccine may not work as well if your child is immunosuppressed);
• has received any other COVID-19 vaccine or is scheduled to get a vaccine; or
• has fainted after getting an injection.

Get emergency medical help if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

The vaccination provider may want to observe your child for a short time after the injection to ensure your child does not have an allergic reaction or faint. Your child will receive prompt treatment if there is a reaction right after getting the vaccine.

Not all possible side effects are known. Getting infected with COVID-19 may be much more harmful to your health than getting this vaccine.

Some people who received this vaccine experienced inflammation of the heart muscle or the lining around the heart after vaccination, usually within the first week. Seek medical help immediately if your child has any of the following symptoms, especially within the first two weeks:

• chest pain;
• shortness of breath;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your child's chest;
• fainting; or
• unusual and ongoing irritability, poor feeding, tiredness or lack of energy, vomiting, stomach pain, or cool, pale skin.

Common side effects of COVID-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, Spikevax may include:

• fever, rash, chills, headache;
• loss of appetite, stomach pain;
• pain, redness, hardness, or swelling at the injection site;
• swelling or tenderness at the injection site;
• nausea, vomiting;
• feeling tired, drowsy, irritable, or having crying spells; or
• muscle or joint pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

You can also use a smartphone program called V-safe to communicate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about any health problems your child experiences after getting a COVID-19 vaccine: www.cdc.gov/vsafe.

Usual Pediatric Dose for COVID-19 Prophylaxis:

6 THROUGH 23 MONTHS:Previous Doses of Any Authorized Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Received:-If 0 previous doses (not previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine): 0.25 mL IM for 2 doses, administered 1 month apart (Dose 1: Month 0; Dose 2: Month 1)---Patients turning from 23 months to 2 years of age during the vaccination series should receive both doses with Spikevax.-If 1 previous dose: 0.25 mL IM as a single dose, administered 1 month after the previous dose-If at least 2 previous doses: 0.25 mL IM as a single dose, administered at least 2 months after the last previous dose2 THROUGH 11 YEARS:Irrespective of COVID-19 Vaccination Status: 0.25 mL IM as a single dose-If previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine: 0.25 mL IM as a single dose, administered at least 2 months after the last dose of COVID-19 vaccineComments:-This vaccine is approved for use in patients who are 6 months through 17 years of age with at least 1 underlying condition that places them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]).---This formulation is intended for patients aged 6 months through 11 years.---For dosing of adults and adolescents (12 years and older), consult the DOSAGE section of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) mRNA-LNP vaccine (cvx 312).Use: For active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2

Contact your vaccination provider or health department if your child misses a vaccine.

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to happen.

Do not receive other vaccines without first getting medical advice.

Before your child gets this vaccine, inform your vaccination provider about all other vaccines your child has had. Other medications may impact this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Let your doctor know about all other medicines your child is taking.