Vaccine Basics

There are four approved or authorized vaccines in the United States.

• Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines.
• Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.
• Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and can be given in some situations.

Find more COVID-19 vaccine information for children and teens ages 6 months–17 years on this page: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters