Comparing the differences between COVID-19 vaccines

By Mayo Clinic Staff

September 16, 2024

See the different COVID-19 vaccines:

Type

PfizerType

mRNA vaccine

Moderna Type

mRNA vaccine

COVID-19 strain

PfizerCOVID-19 strain

KP.2, a subtype of JN.1 strain of the COVID-19 virus

Moderna COVID-19 strain

KP.2, a subtype of JN.1 strain of the COVID-19 virus

Novavax COVID-19 strain

JN.1 strain of the COVID-19 virus

Effectiveness

Pfizer Effectiveness

Helps protect people of all ages against COVID-19 illness that is severe, requires hospital care, or causes death.

Moderna Effectiveness

Helps protect people of all ages against COVID-19 illness that is severe, requires hospital care, or causes death.

Novavax Effectiveness

Helps protect people of all ages against COVID-19 illness that is severe, requires hospital care, or causes death.

Doses

Pfizer Doses

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 2024-2025 formula

Age 6 months to 4 years, unvaccinated: 3 doses

Age 6 months to 4 years, unvaccinated, weakened immune system: 3 doses

Age 6 months to 4 years, vaccinated previously: 1 or 2 doses

Age 6 months to 4 years, vaccinated previously, weakened immune system: varies

Age 5 years and older, unvaccinated: 1 dose

Age 5 years and older, unvaccinated, weakened immune system: 3 doses

Age 5 years and older, vaccinated previously: 1 dose

Age 5 years and older, vaccinated previously, weakened immune system: varies

Moderna Doses

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2024-2025 formula

Age 6 months to 4 years, unvaccinated: 2 doses

Age 6 months to 4 years, unvaccinated, weakened immune system: 3 doses

Age 6 months to 4 years, vaccinated previously: 1 or 2 doses

Age 6 months to 4 years, vaccinated previously, weakened immune system: varies

Age 5 years and older, unvaccinated: 1 dose

Age 5 years and older, unvaccinated, weakened immune system: 3 doses

Age 5 years and older, vaccinated previously: 1 dose

Age 5 years and older, vaccinated previously, weakened immune system: varies

Novavax Doses

Novavax COVID-19, adjuvanted vaccine 2024-2025 formula

Age 6 months to 11 years: Not authorized or approved.

Age 12 and older, unvaccinated: 2 doses

Age 12 and older, unvaccinated, weakened immune system: 2 doses

Age 12 and older, vaccinated previously: 1 dose

Age 12 years and older, weakened immune system: varies

Side effects

Pfizer Side effects

Pain, swelling or redness 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 serious allergic reaction minutes to hours after shot.

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.

Moderna Side effects

Pain, swelling or redness 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 serious allergic reaction minutes to hours after shot.

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.

Novavax Side effects

Pain, swelling or redness where the shot was given, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, feeling unwell, and swollen lymph nodes.

Rare cases of serious allergic reaction minutes to hours after shot.

Rare cases of heart problems in the 10 days after vaccination. Get medical care if chest pain, shortness of breath or if the heartbeat feels fluttery, fast or pounding after getting the vaccine.

Ingredients

Pfizer Ingredients

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Fats to help the mRNA

Sugar to keep the vaccine stable

Acidic ingredients to keep the vaccine stable

Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers.

Moderna Ingredients

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Fats to help the mRNA

Sugar to keep the vaccine stable

Acidic ingredients to keep the vaccine stable

Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers.

Novavax Ingredients

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

Doesn't contain eggs, preservatives or latex in the vial stoppers.

Approval, authorization and safety

Pfizer Approval, authorization and safety

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 2024-2025 formula is authorized for people ages 6 months through 11 years.

Comirnaty is approved for people age 12 and older.

The vaccines that help protect against COVID-19 are safe and effective based on clinical trials and continued monitoring.

Moderna Approval, authorization and safety

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2024-2025 formula is authorized for people ages 6 months through 11 years.

Spikevax is approved for people age 12 and older.

The vaccines that help protect against COVID-19 are safe and effective based on clinical trials and continued monitoring.

Novavax Approval, authorization and safety

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted 2024-2025 formula is authorized for people age 12 and older.

The vaccines that help protect against COVID-19 are safe and effective based on clinical trials and continued monitoring.

Eligibility

Pfizer Eligibility

People age 6 months and older can get the vaccine.

People who've had a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine's ingredients or after a prior dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shouldn't get the vaccine.

Moderna Eligibility

People age 6 months and older can get the vaccine.

People who've had a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine's ingredients or after a prior dose of a Moderna vaccine shouldn't get the vaccine.

Novavax Eligibility

People age 12 and older can get the vaccine.

People who've had an immediate allergic reaction to the vaccine or a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine shouldn't get the vaccine.

Cost

Pfizer Cost

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.

Moderna Cost

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.

Novavax Cost

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.

Existing health conditions

Pfizer Existing health conditions

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.

If you have any other questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare team.

Moderna Existing health conditions

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.

If you have any other questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare team.

Novavax Existing health conditions

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.

If you have any other questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare team.

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