COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Not Recommended for 9-Month-Old Children
COVID-19 vaccine boosters are not recommended for 9-month-old infants according to current immunization guidelines. 1
Current Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccination in Infants
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC guidelines provide clear direction regarding COVID-19 vaccination for young children:
- For infants aged 6 months and older, a primary series of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended, but booster doses are not indicated for 9-month-old infants 1
- The 2023 and updated 2025 immunization schedules specifically outline that while primary vaccination is recommended for infants 6 months and older, booster doses follow different age-specific guidelines 1
- The most recent guidelines (2025) specify "1 or more doses of 2024-2025 vaccine" with direction to see detailed notes for age-specific recommendations 1
Evidence Supporting Primary Vaccination (Not Boosters) for Infants
Recent research provides strong support for the primary COVID-19 vaccination series in young children:
- A 2024 benefit-risk assessment demonstrated that the primary series of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines provides favorable benefit-risk ratios for children aged 6 months to 4 years, with ratios ranging from 3.2 to 200.4 depending on risk factors 2
- The primary series has been shown to be both safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 in young children 3, 4
- Safety surveillance data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) showed that most adverse events in children were mild to moderate, with 97.6% of reported events being non-serious 5
Important Clinical Considerations
When discussing COVID-19 vaccination with parents of infants:
- Focus on completing the primary series if not already done, rather than boosters
- Clarify that vaccination recommendations are age-specific and evolve as children grow
- Emphasize that the primary series provides significant protection against severe disease
- Note that COVID-19 vaccines may be administered simultaneously with other routine vaccines, including influenza vaccines 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Confusing adult and pediatric recommendations: Booster recommendations for adults and older children do not apply to infants
- Misinterpreting "additional doses" vs. "boosters": Some immunocompromised children may need additional primary doses, which is different from boosters
- Assuming all COVID-19 vaccines are interchangeable: Follow specific guidance for the vaccine product being used
- Delaying other important vaccinations: COVID-19 vaccination should not delay other routine immunizations; they can be given simultaneously 1
The evidence clearly supports completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series for eligible infants, but current guidelines do not recommend booster doses for 9-month-old children.