
Approved and Authorized Vaccines
The federal government is providing vaccines free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of immigration or health insurance status.
Below are the vaccines that are approved and authorized in the United States to prevent COVID-19:
Everyone 5+ Eligible for Free COVID-19 Vaccination
The CDC and Texas' Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommends vaccination for everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization:
Pfizer Pediatric Vaccine Now Available for Children 5 to 11 Years Old
CDC and Texas DSHS now recommend children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. The pediatric vaccine comes in a different formulation from the vaccine approved for adults, so it is important to seek out providers who have received the pediatric vaccine when getting children in this age group vaccinated.
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All vaccines available in the U.S. are authorized for ages 18+
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The Pfizer pediatric vaccine is authorized for people 5-11 years of age.
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The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 12-15 years of age.
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The Pfizer vaccine, Comirnaty, is approved by the FDA for ages 16+
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A third dose of mRNA vaccine is authorized for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals.
Are Comirnaty and the Pfizer Vaccine the same?
On Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, for individuals ages 16 and older. Comirnaty, is the brand name for the COVID-19 vaccine currently being administered under emergency use authorization for individuals ages 12-15.
COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
Everyone ages 18+ is eligible for a COVID-19 booster.
If you got an mRNA vaccine, either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, you may get a booster dose six months after you’re fully vaccinated.
If you got a one-dose vaccine, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen, you may get a booster dose two months after you’re fully vaccinated.
Mixing and matching vaccine brands is allowed.
FDA clears Moderna and J&J COVID vaccine boosters, allows ‘mix and match’ shots

October 20, the FDA expanded the use of a single booster dose for #COVID19 vaccines in eligible populations and authorized the “mixing and matching” of shots — making it simpler to get another dose.
Authorization of “Mix and Match” Booster Dose
A single booster dose of any of the available COVID-19 vaccines may be administered as a "Mix & Match" booster dose following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. The eligible population(s) and dosing interval for a booster dose are the same as those authorized for a booster dose of the vaccine used for primary vaccination.
“Being able to interchange these vaccines is a good thing. It's like what we do with flu vaccines. Most people don’t know what brand of flu vaccine they received." Dr. Peter Marks, FDA
Third Dose vs. Booster Shot
Per the CDC, people who have moderately or severely compromised immune systems should receive the third dose (additional dose) of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) after the initial 2 doses. This is because people with compromised immune systems may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised.
An additional dose of vaccine for people who did not have a strong enough response to the first two COVID-19 vaccine doses
THIRD DOSE
VS
An additional dose of a vaccine for
people who built protection from
the vaccination, but whose protection
may have decreased over time
BOOSTER SHOT
Who Needs a Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine?
Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose (third dose). This includes people who have...
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Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
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Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
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Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
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Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
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Advanced or untreated HIV infection
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Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.