Moderna Spikevax Age Eligibility for Children
Children can receive the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine starting at 6 months of age. 1
Current Authorization and Recommendations
The Moderna (mRNA-1273) Spikevax vaccine is authorized and recommended for children beginning at 6 months of age through the 2024-2025 formulation under FDA Emergency Use Authorization for children aged 6 months-11 years. 1
Age-Specific Dosing Framework
For children 6 months through 4 years:
- This age group requires a multidose initial vaccination series when first receiving COVID-19 vaccination 2
- The 2024-2025 Moderna vaccine is administered at 25 µg (0.25 mL) per dose for young children 3
- Previously unvaccinated children in this age group need multiple doses as part of their primary series 2
For children 5-11 years:
- One dose of the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is recommended 2
- The minimum interval of 8 weeks after the last COVID-19 vaccine dose applies if previously vaccinated 2
For adolescents 12 years and older:
- Moderna is fully licensed (not under EUA) for this age group 1
- One dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine is recommended regardless of prior vaccination history 2
Key Clinical Considerations
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination with 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines for all persons aged ≥6 months, establishing 6 months as the minimum age for Moderna Spikevax. 2
Safety Profile in Young Children
Clinical trial data demonstrated that the Moderna vaccine in children aged 6 months-5 years was associated with mainly low-grade, transient adverse events, most commonly injection-site pain, headache, and fatigue. 4 No vaccine-related serious adverse events, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, myocarditis, or pericarditis were reported in the pediatric trials. 4
Post-authorization safety monitoring showed that approximately 37.7% of young children had no reported reactions after a third dose, and among those with reactions, most were mild and transient. 5 Serious adverse events remain rare in this age group. 5
Immunocompromised Children
Children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised require enhanced vaccination schedules starting at 6 months of age. 2, 6 Unvaccinated immunocompromised children aged 6 months-11 years should receive a 3-dose initial series of 2024-2025 mRNA vaccine. 2 These children may receive additional doses at least 2 months after completing their initial series, guided by clinical judgment. 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not delay vaccination beyond the recommended timeframes once a child reaches 6 months of age, as this prolongs the period of suboptimal protection, especially for high-risk children. 2
Do not assume prior vaccination is sufficient for the current season—the 2024-2025 formulation is specifically developed against current circulating variants and is recommended for all children ≥6 months regardless of vaccination history. 2
Do not overlook immunocompromised status in young children, which warrants additional doses beyond the standard series. 2, 6