10/05/2023 CS321571-P 1

Updated (2023–24 Formula) 

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 

At-A-Glance

Guidance below summarizes basic storage, preparation, scheduling, administration, and dosage for all 2023–24 Moderna 

COVID-19 Vaccine products.

Distributed in:

Ages: 6 months through 11 years 

Single-dose vial: 

Dark blue cap and green label

Ages: 12 years and older

Single-dose vial: 

Dark blue cap and blue label

Manufacturer-filled syringe

Storage and Handling

Find additional guidance on storing vaccine properly at:

 CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit 

 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine | FDA

 Spikevax | FDA

 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines | Modernatx.com

Ages 6 months through 11 years 12 years and older

Supplied in: Single-dose vial (SDV) Single-dose vial (SDV) Manufacturer-filled syringe 

(MFS)

Cap and/or 

label color:

Dark blue cap 

and green label

Dark blue cap 

and blue label N/A

Storage 

temperature 

before puncture

Between:

 -50°C and -15°C (-58°F and 5°F) until the expiration date 

 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for up to 30 days

 8°C and 25°C (46°F and 77°F) for a total of 24 hours. Discard vial or syringe and unused vaccine after 

24 hours. 

NOTE: The beyond-use date (30 days) replaces the manufacturer’s expiration date but NEVER extends 

it. Always use the earliest date. Do NOT use vaccine after the expiration date or beyond-use date.

Thawing frozen 

vaccine

Between:

 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for 

45 minutes. Let stand at room 

temperature (between 15°C 

and 25°C [59°F and 77°F]) for 

15 minutes.

OR 

 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F) 

for 15 minutes

Between:

 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for 

45 minutes. Let stand at room 

temperature (between 15°C 

and 25°C [59°F and 77°F]) for 

15 minutes.

OR 

 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F) 

for 15 minutes

Between:

 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F) 

for 45 minutes.
10/05/2023 CS321571-P 2

Updated (2023–2024 Formula) 

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 

At-A-Glance

Preparation and Administration Basics 

Find additional guidance on preparing and administering vaccine properly at: 

* A 5/8 inch needle may be used if administering the vaccine in the deltoid muscle AND the skin is stretched tightly and the subcutaneous tissue is not bunched for children and adolescents 

ages 1–18 years and adults ages 19 years and older who weigh less than 130 pounds.

†The deltoid muscle in the upper arm may be used if the muscle mass is adequate in children ages 1–2 years.

‡ The vastus lateralis muscle in the anterolateral thigh may be used as an alternate site.

 Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 

Vaccines | CDC

 Vaccine Administration Resource Library | CDC

 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines | FDA

 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine | cvdvaccine.com

Preparation

If the vaccine is frozen, allow to thaw. Before preparing the vaccine, let vaccine stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 

Do NOT refreeze thawed vaccine.

 Check the vial label to ensure the expiration date has not 

passed.

○ Use Moderna expiration date tool at https://

modernacovid19global.com/vial-lookup

 Do not shake.

 If using an SDV, gently swirl prior to withdrawing vaccine.

 Refer to package insert or EUA Fact Sheet for detailed 

instructions.

Administration

 COVID-19 vaccines may be administered at the same 

clinical visit as other routinely recommended vaccines.

 If using a SDV, withdraw 1 dose. After withdrawing the 

dose, discard the vial and any residual vaccine. Do NOT 

save used SDVs.

 Administer intramuscularly.

Recipient’s Age Dosage Route Needle gauge 

and length Site 

6 months through 

11 years of age 0.25 mL/25 ug IM injection 22–25 gauge, 1”*

6 months–2 years of age: Vastus 

lateralis muscle in the anterolateral 

thigh†

3–11 years of age: Deltoid muscle in 

the upper arm‡

12 years of age 

and older 0.5 mL/50 ug IM injection 22–25 gauge, 1–1.5"* Deltoid muscle in the upper arm‡
10/05/2023 CS321571-P 3

Updated (2023–2024 Formula) 

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 

At-A-Glance

Scheduling Doses

The number of recommended 2023–24 COVID-19 vaccine 

doses varies by age, vaccine, vaccination history, and the 

presence of moderate or severe immune compromise. 

Review CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of 

COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States for detailed clinical 

guidance when scheduling doses, and the Interim COVID-19 

Immunization Schedule for summary information.

Contraindications, Precautions, and 

Post-Vaccination Observation

Screen for contraindications and precautions before 

administering EACH dose — even if the vaccine was 

previously administered. 

Contraindications

History of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a 

previous dose or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine

Precautions

History of:

 A diagnosed non-severe allergy to a component of the 

COVID-19 vaccine

 Non-severe, immediate (onset less than 4 hours) allergic 

reaction after administration of a previous dose of one 

COVID-19 vaccine type, if receiving the same vaccine type 

 Moderate to severe acute illness, with or without fever

 Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) 

or adults (MIS-A)

 Myocarditis or pericarditis within 3 weeks after a dose of 

any COVID-19 vaccine

Consider observing persons after vaccination to monitor 

for allergic reactions and syncope:

 30 minutes for persons with:

○ A history of a non-severe, immediate (onset within 4 

hours) allergic reaction after a previous dose of one 

COVID-19 vaccine type, if receiving the same vaccine type

○ A history of a diagnosed non-severe allergy to a 

component of the COVID-19 vaccine, if receiving the 

same vaccine type 

 15 minutes: All other persons

Documentation

Document each recipient's vaccine administration 

information:

 Medical record: The vaccine and the date it was 

administered, manufacturer, lot number, vaccination site 

and route, name and title of the person administering 

the vaccine

 Vaccination record for recipient: Date of vaccination, 

product name/manufacturer, lot number, and name/

location of the administering clinic or health care 

professional 

 Immunization information system (IIS): Report the 

vaccination to the appropriate state/local IIS.

Report Adverse Events to the Vaccine Adverse 

Event Reporting System (VAERS)

 Adverse events that occur in a recipient following 

administration of any licensed or authorized COVID-19 

vaccine should be reported to VAERS, including: 

○ Vaccine administration errors, whether or not 

associated with an adverse event

○ Serious adverse events, irrespective of attribution to 

vaccination

○ Cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS) in 

adults and children

○ Cases of myocarditis

○ Cases of pericarditis

○ Cases of COVID-19 that result in hospitalization or 

death

Reporting is also encouraged for any other clinically 

significant adverse event, even if it is uncertain whether the 

vaccine caused the event. Information on how to submit a 

report to VAERS is available at https://vaers.hhs.gov or by 

calling 1-800-822-7967.