Vaccines are Safe & Effective

• The COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and reviewed, and as with all vaccines, continue to be monitored for safety. Tens of millions of children and teens have safely COVID-19 vaccines.

• Data from clinical trials shows that the vaccines are safe for younger kids.

  • Children may have mild side effects, such as a sore arm, fatigue, headache, or slight fever, and most pass in one or two days. These are normal signs that their body is building protection. Serious side effects are rare and treatable.

  • The vaccines greatly lower the risk of serious illness, long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

  • Vaccinated children are much less likely to get severely ill from COVID-19, including variants such as Omicron. That means they are less likely to miss school, sports and social activities.

• You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

• There is no evidence that the vaccine, or any other vaccines, cause fertility problems.

• The risk of myocarditis (inflammation in the heart) is rare. In fact, getting COVID-19 increases the risk of developing myocarditis.

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The Risk of COVID-19 to Children 

COVID-19 can make children and teens of any age very sick and can sometimes require treatment in a hospital. Some children and teens have even died from COVID-19.  Although children with underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severe COVID-19, healthy children without underlying conditions can also experience severe illness.​

 

The best way to prevent your child from getting really sick from COVID-19 is to keep them up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination and boosters. Since the Omicron variant became dominant, children ages 5-11 who are unvaccinated are twice as likely to be hospitalized than children who are vaccinated. Prescription treatment medications, such as Paxlovid, that help people with COVID-19 recover are not yet authorized for children under 12.

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About the Vaccines

Dosage for all COVID-19 vaccines is based on your child’s age on the date of vaccination, not by their weight or size. The dosage is smaller than the one given to people ages 12 and older (adult dosage).

 

Ages 6 Months to 4 Years

• The Pfizer vaccine and Omicron booster are available for children ages 6 months to 4 years old

  • Your child will need 2 doses of the vaccine given 3 weeks apart, followed by a third dose, the omicron booster, 2 months later

  • If your child has already received 3 doses, they are not eligible for the Omicron booster as a fourth dose at this time

• The Moderna vaccine and Omicron booster are available for children ages 6 months to 5 years old

  • Your child will need 2 doses of the vaccine given 3 weeks apart, followed by a third dose, the Omicron booster, 2 months later

 

Ages 5+ Years

• Your child will need 2 doses of the vaccine at least 3 weeks apart

• For added protection, your child should get the Omicron booster 2 months after their second dose:

  • The Omicron booster from Pfizer is available to people ages 5 years and older

  • The Omicron booster from Moderna is available to people ages 6 years and older