COVID-19 vaccination information for children

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine had to meet high standards for safety and effectiveness to be authorized by the FDA for use in children. Since they were approved, COVID-19 vaccines have been given safely to hundreds of millions of people. Data shows they are safe and highly effective at preventing illness.

The FDA will continue to monitor use of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure its safety.

COVID-19 vaccines have shown to reduce the risk of COVID-19, including the risk of serious illness and hospitalizations.

In clinical trials for children ages 5-11, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was 90.7% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Among 12-18 year-olds, the Pfizer vaccine has been 93% effective at preventing hospitalizations. Unvaccinated adolescents are 10x more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than their vaccinated peers.

Experts will continue to monitor the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over time, especially as new variants emerge. For the most protection, it is important to stay up to date on your vaccines, including getting a COVID-19 booster if eligible.

While the risk of severe COVID-19 in children is lower compared to adults, that risk is not zero. Highly contagious variants have shown that children can and do get sick from COVID-19. In addition to protecting their health, vaccinating children is key to protecting others.

• As of June 2022, more than 13.5 million cases of COVID-19 in children have been reported in the U.S.

• During the Omicron surge, the rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations in children reached a record-high. COVID‑19 hospitalizations in children ages 5-11 were twice as high for children who were not vaccinated as opposed to children who were vaccinated.

• Children with even mild symptoms may be at risk for rare long-term side effects. As of June 2022, more than 8,500 children have been diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after COVID-19.

Listen to this podcast to learn more about the physical effects of COVID-19 in children

The COVID-19 vaccines for children are the same vaccines as for teens and adults, but they are given in a smaller dose. This smaller dose is due to the development of a child's immune system, not based on a child's size or weight.

Your child may experience some side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Side effects are typically mild and are normal signs that the vaccine is building protection against COVID-19.

Possible COVID-19 vaccine side effects in children include:

• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site

• Tiredness

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Chills

• Fever

• Nausea

Contact your child's health care provider if:

• The redness or pain at the injection site gets worse after 24 hours

• Their side effects are worrying you or do not go away after a few days

Seek immediate medical attention if your child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine, such as rapid heartbeat, swelling of the throat, rash or hives. This reaction is extremely rare.

There is no evidence of any long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children. The COVID-19 vaccines have been safely given to millions of children. The FDA required the COVID-19 vaccine be studied for at least 8 weeks after the final dose to ensure its safety, and the vaccine will continue to undergo intense safety monitoring.

One side effect that parents may have heard about is the chance of heart inflammation, or myocarditis. This is very rare and cases have been mild. People are more likely to experience myocarditis after COVID-19 illness than vaccination. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and myocarditis.

Parents may have heard misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine affecting fertility. There is no evidence to support this myth. Experts will continue to monitor the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure it is safe and effective. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and fertility.

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and recommended for children with chronic or underlying medical conditions. Children with certain health conditions may be at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, and therefore, vaccination is important to keeping them healthy.

If your child has a compromised immune system, they may need to get additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. See CDC recommendations here.

Your child should get the COVID-19 vaccine even if they already had COVID-19. Studies have shown that the vaccines can trigger a COVID-19 immune response stronger than the one naturally present in people who had COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can help prevent re-infection and illness.

Booster shots are currently available and recommended by the CDC for individuals ages 5 and older. Experts will continue to monitor vaccine efficacy to determine if younger children will need a booster shot in the future.

Your child can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other routine vaccinations, including the flu vaccine. Talk with your child's health care provider if you have any questions about your child's vaccine schedule.

Children may be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine at their pediatrician's office, or at a variety of community clinics and pharmacies. Children's Health will offer COVID-19 vaccines to existing patients being seen in our clinics.

Contact your child's health care provider to ask about vaccine availability or see a list of community vaccination sites. You can also search vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you. You will not need to pay for your child's COVID-19 vaccine. It is given at no cost to the recipient.

Information about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines may be updated as the pandemic evolves. It is important to turn to trusted medical experts to understand what's true and what's not. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and your child's health, ask your child's health care provider for more information. You can also turn to trusted resources, such as the CDC website.

COVID-19 vaccine resources:

• COVID-19 vaccine for under 5: FAQs for parents

• COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11: FAQs for parents

• 6 myths about the COVID-19 vaccine

• COVID-19 vaccine and children

• CDC COVID-19 website

• American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 website

• Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?

• Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause heart problems?