COVID-19 Vaccines

Status

There are four 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.

The CDC announced a clinical preference for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and boosters over Johnson & Johnson due to rare cases of blood clotting associated with the Johnson & Johnson shot.  

These vaccines are given as a shot in the muscle of the upper arm or in the thigh of a young child. COVID-19 vaccine ingredients are considered safe for most people.

Nearly all the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are ingredients found in many foods—fats, sugar, and salts. None of the COVID-19 vaccines affect or interact with our DNA.