Did you find this answer helpful? Subscribe to keep up with all things Lifelong Learning.
I have a question about mixing the 2 COVID vaccines for young children. Would it be safe and possibly more efficacious for my 3.5 year-old daughter to get the 2-shot Moderna regimen and then follows it up with a 3rd Pfizer shot a month later? Mixing and matching showed itself to have a small increase in efficacy for adults, and with Moderna's two initial shots being effective enough to be used on their own (vs the 2 Pfizer shots not being effective enough to be considered), would that lead to a higher efficacy for her? Would it be allowed? I've always thought that Moderna's use of a higher amount of mRNA was the better way to go, and I think the numbers in general have born that out in adults.
CDC Guidance for Covid-19 vaccines for children <5 years of age were updated June 18, 2022:
As of June 18, 2022, both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID vaccines are authorized and recommended for immunizing children 6 months of age and older. Booster doses are not yet authorized.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0618-children-vaccine.html
There is evidence that mix and matching (or switching from one mRNA vaccine to the other mRNA vaccine for booster doses) may result in an incrementally better immune response. But this is only possible for adults (persons age 18 years and older) right now.
