Vaccinate All 58

Keep the whole family's immunity strong with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

Completion of the primary series and booster doses remain the best way to prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including of our most vulnerable.

Safe. Effective.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for everyone aged 6 months and older in California’s 58 counties. Young people aged 5-17 are also eligible to receive a first booster dose. Learn more about why the vaccine is one of our most powerful tools to ending the pandemic.

Vaccines for Infants, Toddlers, and Children

In California, it is recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older get a COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone aged 5 and older get a booster dose when eligible, to help protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19. Vaccinating children can help protect family members who are at higher risk for getting sick. Vaccination can help keep kids in school and safely participating in group activities. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been authorized for children aged 6 months and older. COVID-19 vaccine dosage varies by the age of the child on the day their vaccine dose.

Pfizer

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children contains the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to people aged 12 and older.
Youth aged 12 and older receive the same dose as adults
Children aged 5 – 11 receive a lower dose than those 12 and older.
Infants and toddlers aged 6 months – 4 years receive a lower dose than children aged 5 – 11.

Moderna

The Moderna vaccine for children contains the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to people aged 18 and older.
Youth aged 12 – 17 receive the same dose as those aged 18 and older.
Youth aged 6 – 11 receive a lower dose than those aged 12 – 17.
Infants and toddlers aged 6 months – 5 years receive a lower dose than children aged 6 – 11.

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.

People have rarely experienced severe health effects after COVID-19 vaccination.
Children may experience side effects like pain and swelling where the shot was given, or headache, fatigue, and fever. These symptoms should go away in a few days.

Everyone aged 5 and older who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least five months ago; and everyone aged 18 and older who received the second dose of the Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, or the J&J vaccine two months ago, should get their first booster dose.

Timing of Primary Series Dose(s)

Pfizer-BioNTech 3-dose series

Ages 6 months – 4 years
- 2nd dose given at least 3 weeks after the first dose
- 3rd dose given at least 8 weeks after the 2nd dose
Ages 5+
- 2 doses given at least 3 weeks apart

Moderna 2-dose series

Ages 6 months+
- 2 doses given at least 4 weeks apart

J&J/Janssen*

Ages 18+
1 dose

*CDPH recommends people receive a mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) over Johnson and Johnson. ** Based on CDC and FDA guidance, use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 (J&J) vaccine is limited to people aged 18 and older who cannot receive other COVID-19 vaccines due to medical reasons, have limited access to the other vaccines, or who elect to receive the J&J because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Boosters

Everyone aged 5 and older is eligible to receive a booster dose.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna

Not Immunocompromised
- You are eligible for a first booster dose at least five months after the last dose in the primary series
Immunocompromised
- You are eligible for a first booster dose at least three months after the third dose
Those aged 5-17 should receive a first booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech only
Those aged 18 and older should receive a first booster dose, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna are preferred over Johnson & Johnson
You may be eligible for a second booster dose at least four months after the first booster dose
- Teens aged 12-17 who are immunocompromised should receive a second booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech only. No recommendation for a second booster dose for people who are not immunocompromised for this age group.
- Those aged 18 and older who are immunocompromised should receive a second booster dose of either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. No recommendation for a second booster dose for people who are not immunocompromised for this age group.
- Those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose of either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, regardless of immune.
- Those who received two doses of Johnson & Johnson can receive a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

J&J/Janssen

You are eligible for a booster dose at least 2 months after you receive your J&J/Janssen dose
- Those aged 18 and older can receive either a J&J, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster dose
- It is recommended that if you received a J&J vaccine, you strongly consider a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna first booster dose
- If you are aged 18 and older and received a J&J booster dose at least four months ago, you are eligible for a second booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna
- Based on CDC and FDA guidance, use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 (J&J) vaccine is limited to people aged 18 and older who cannot receive other COVID-19 vaccines due to medical reasons, have limited access to the other vaccines, or who elect to receive the J&J because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

To book your booster vaccination, visit My Turn.

Find your closest vaccination site

Use My Turn to find walk-up sites in your area.

Find Vaccines

Book a vaccine appointment

If you'd rather schedule your vaccine, find a convenient time on My Turn and book your appointment.

Book your vaccination

For help making it happen, call (833) 422-4255

You can also check with your healthcare provider or stop by your local pharmacy.

Pregnancy and Fertility

Evidence continues to build that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccine for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or could become pregnant in the future. There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 than non-pregnant people. Research continues to show that getting COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and developing baby, including newborn mortality, such as preterm or stillborn infant. Talk to your doctors if you feel hesitant about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to learn the medical and scientific facts.

Questions & Answers

- Research continues to show that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from all variants.
- Getting vaccinated is much, much safer than the risks of getting sick with COVID-19. Unvaccinated people are at much higher risk of getting infected, becoming hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19 than people who have received their primary series and booster dose, when eligible.
- If the available appointment times on My Turn aren’t convenient for you, you can use VaccineFinder to see more in your area—or skip the scheduling altogether. Hundreds of vaccination sites accept walk-ins, and the list keeps growing. You can also check with your medical provider to see if they offer COVID-19 vaccinations.
- The vaccine will be given to you as a shot in your upper arm.
- After vaccination, you'll be monitored on-site for 15 minutes to make sure you don't have a reaction.
- Once vaccinated, you'll get a card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you got, the date you got it, and where you got it. Bring your vaccination card to your second appointment (if you need two shots) as well as your booster appointment. Keep it in a safe place, as proof of vaccination may be required in certain settings.
- Ask your vaccination provider about getting started with v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to check how you’re doing after your COVID-19 vaccination.
- If you haven’t already done so, make an appointment to get your booster dose. Californians aged 12 and above are eligible for a booster. For those that received J&J you can receive a booster two months after your first dose. If you received Pfizer or Moderna for your primary series you can receive a booster five months after your second dose. Boosters increase a person’s immunity almost immediately.
- Wear a mask with good fit and filtration when it can protect you and others. Upgrade to a better mask if you can. A N95 provides the highest level of protection from COVID-19, KN95 or KF94 masks or double masking with a cloth mask over a surgical mask also provide great protection.
- Stay home if you are sick and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Watch your distance in crowds, especially around our youngest children who are not yet vaccinated, those at risk and those unable to get the vaccine.

Still have questions?

Everyone deserves answers.

Visit California’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage or call the COVID-19 Hotline at (833) 422-4255.

Share resources for your community

Share more about COVID-19 vaccines and why they’re so important. Visit the Partner Toolkit page to find images and videos you can post on social media and use in communities across California.