Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines

Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines
Updated Jan. 16, 2022
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Get Vaccinated and Stay Up to Date

Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Fully vaccinated means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, getting hospitalized, and even dying. As with vaccines for other diseases, people who are up to date are optimally protected. CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and receive a booster dose when eligible.

When Are You Up to Date?

You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have followed the current recommendations listed below. The recommendations will be different depending on your age, your health status, and when you first got vaccinated.

Many people who are immunocompromised may need an additional dose as part of their primary vaccine series.

Note that booster shots are not recommended for everyone at this time.

Pfizer-BioNTech [1]

Ages Recommended
5+ years old

Primary Series
2 doses[3,4]
Given 3 weeks (21 days) apart [5]

Fully Vaccinated
2 weeks after final dose in primary series

Booster Dose
Everyone ages 12+ should get a booster dose at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series.

  • Teens 12–17 should only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster
  • Everyone 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines)

When Boosted
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

Moderna [1]

Ages Recommended
18+ years old

Primary Series
2 doses[3]
Given 4 weeks (28 days) apart [5]

Fully Vaccinated
2 weeks after final dose in primary series

Booster Dose
Everyone ages 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series.

When Boosted
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen [1,2]

Ages Recommended
18+ years old

Primary Series
1 dose

Fully Vaccinated
2 weeks after 1st dose

Booster Dose
Everyone ages 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) at least 2 months after the first dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. You may get J&J/Janssen in some situations.

When Boosted
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

1 If you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose or if you have a known (diagnosed) allergy to a COVID-19 vaccine ingredient, you should not get that vaccine. If you have been instructed not to get one type of COVID-19 vaccine, you may still be able to get another type.

2 CDC has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines with a preference for mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) vaccines. Learn more about the updated guidance on the use of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.

3 The primary series of these vaccinations includes a third dose for people ages 18 years and older with moderate to severe immunocompromise. This third dose occurs 28 days after the second dose in the primary series.

4 The primary series of this vaccination includes a third dose for people ages 5–17 years with moderate to severe immunocompromise. The third dose occurs 28 days after the second dose in the primary series.

5 You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. You should not get the second dose early.

Pfizer-BioNTech[1]

Moderna[1]

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen[1,2]

Pfizer-BioNTech[1]

Ages Recommended
5+ years old

Moderna[1]

Ages Recommended
18+ years old

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen[1,2]

Ages Recommended
18+ years old

Pfizer-BioNTech[1]

Primary Series
2 doses[3,4]
Given 3 weeks (21 days) apart [5]

Moderna[1]

Primary Series
2 doses [3]
Given 4 weeks (28 days) apart [5]

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen[1,2]

Primary Series
1 dose

Pfizer-BioNTech[1]

Fully Vaccinated
2 weeks after final dose in primary series

Moderna[1]

Fully Vaccinated
2 weeks after final dose in primary series

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen[1,2]

Fully Vaccinated
2 weeks after 1st dose

Pfizer-BioNTech[1]

Booster Dose
Everyone ages 12+ should get a booster dose at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series.

  • Teens 12–17 should only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster
  • Everyone 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines)

Moderna[1]

Booster Dose
Everyone ages 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen[1,2]

Booster Dose
Everyone ages 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) at least 2 months after the first dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. You may get J&J/Janssen in some situations.

Pfizer-BioNTech[1]

When Boosted
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

Moderna[1]

When Boosted
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen[1,2]

When Boosted
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

1 If you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose or if you have a known (diagnosed) allergy to a COVID-19 vaccine ingredient, you should not get that vaccine. If you have been instructed not to get one type of COVID-19 vaccine, you may still be able to get another type.

2 CDC has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines with a preference for mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) vaccines. Learn more about the updated guidance on the use of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.

3 The primary series of these vaccinations includes a third dose for people ages 18 years and older with moderate to severe immunocompromise. This third dose occurs 28 days after the second dose in the primary series.

4 The primary series of this vaccination includes a third dose for people ages 5–17 years with moderate to severe immunocompromise. The third dose occurs 28 days after the second dose in the primary series.

5 You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. You should not get the second dose early.