Comparing the differences between COVID-19 vaccines
By Mayo Clinic Staff
October 21, 2025
See the different COVID-19 vaccines:
Pfizer and Moderna
LP.8.1 strain of the COVID-19 virus
Novavax
JN.1 strain of the COVID-19 virus
Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax
Helps protect people of all ages against COVID-19 illness that is severe, requires hospital care, or causes death.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 2025-2026 formula
Comirnaty:
Ages 5 and older: 1 dose
People with weakened immune system: doses vary
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2025-2026 formulas
Spikevax:
Age 6 months to 23 months, unvaccinated: 2 doses
Age 6 months and older, previous vaccination: 1 dose
People with weakened immune system: doses vary
Mnexspike:
Ages 12 to 64 years with a risk of serious COVID-19 illness: 1 dose
Age 65 or older: 1 dose
People with weakened immune system: doses vary
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 2025-2026 formula
Nuvaxovid:
Ages 12 to 64 years with a risk of serious COVID-19 illness: 1 dose
Age 65 and older: 1 dose
People with weakened immune system: doses vary
Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax
Rare cases of serious allergic reaction minutes to hours after shot.
Pain, swelling or a change in skin color where the shot was given, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, feeling unwell and swollen lymph nodes.
Children may have irritability, poor feeding, lack of energy, vomiting or belly pain among other symptoms.
Rare cases of heart problems in the two weeks after vaccination. Get medical care if chest pain, shortness of breath or if the heartbeat feels fluttery, fast or pounding after getting the vaccine.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers.
Pfizer
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Fats to help the mRNA
Sugar to keep the vaccine stable
Acidic ingredients to keep the vaccine stable
Moderna
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Fats to help the mRNA
Sugar to keep the vaccine stable
Acidic ingredients to keep the vaccine stable
Novavax
Protein to cause immune response
Fats to help the protein enter cells
Salts to keep the vaccine stable
Sugar to keep the vaccine stable
Acidic ingredients to keep the vaccine stable
Herbal fraction to boost immune response
The vaccines that help protect against COVID-19 are safe and effective based on clinical trials and continued monitoring.
People who've had a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine's ingredients or after a prior dose of a vaccine shouldn't get the vaccine.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 2025-2026 formula
Comirnaty
Approved for people age 5 to 64 years with a risk of serious COVID-19 illness
Approved for people age 65 and older
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2025-2026 formulas
Spikevax
Approved for people age 6 months to 64 years with a risk of serious COVID-19 illness
Approved for people age 65 and older.
Mnexspike
Approved for people age 12 to 64 years with a risk of serious COVID-19 illness
Approved for people age 65 and older.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 2025-2026 formula
Nuvaxovid
Approved for people age 12 to 64 years with a risk of serious COVID-19 illness
Approved for people age 65 and older.
Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax
In the U.S., COVID-19 vaccines may be offered at no cost through insurance coverage. People younger than 18 years old can get no-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program.
Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax
You can get a vaccine if you have an existing health condition, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have existing health conditions, take medications, or you're pregnant, and you have questions about the vaccine, talk to your healthcare team.
History of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccines timeline.
Learn about the history of major disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, as well as the impact vaccines and research had on many infectious diseases.
Find out more at History of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccines timeline.
- Spikevax. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/spikevax. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025.
- Mnexspike. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/mnexspike. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025.
- Comirnaty. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/comirnaty. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025.
- Nuvaxovid. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/nuvaxovid. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025.
- Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Sept. 25, 2025.
- AskMayoExpert. COVID-19 vaccination. Mayo Clinic; Sept. 8, 2025.
- Vaccines for children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html. Accessed Oct. 7, 2025.
Thank a researcher today!
Send a note of thanks to Mayo Clinic researchers who are revolutionizing healthcare and improving patient outcomes.