Make the Decision to Vaccinate
While children are less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, it can happen. Some children have also had longer-term health issues from COVID-19 exposure, known as “long COVID syndrome” or “post-acute COVID syndrome.” Children can also spread the virus to family members and friends who may be more at risk. Vaccination is our best tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and protect against serious illness and death. Getting the vaccine also makes it less likely that your child could miss school due to COVID-19 illness or exposure.Vaccine Facts
- Safety: The pediatric COVID vaccine has been through many tests and studies. Approximately 3,100 children aged 5-11 were given the vaccine, and no serious side effects have been detected. Most side effects were mild to moderate, and similar to adults given the vaccine: sore arm at the injection site, redness and swelling, fatigue, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and decreased appetite.
- Vaccine Dose: The Pfizer vaccine given to children is the same vaccine formulation given to adults, but it is a smaller dose. The vaccine is specifically made to meet this dosage. At this time, the Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in children aged 5-11.
- Effectiveness: The immune responses of children have been found to be similar to that of teens and young adults receiving the same vaccine.