COVID-19 Vaccines for Ages 5-17

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adolescents ages 5-17 receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and teens ages 6 months-17 years receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination and booster appointments are available at a number of pediatric primary clinics throughout the region. Children and teens ages 6 months-17 years should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What You Need to Know about Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination and Boosters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that eligible children and adolescents ages 6 months-17 years receive the COVID-19 vaccine and applicable boosters.
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children is a smaller dose.
The vaccine is a multi-dose primary series, depending on patient age and vaccine manufacturer.
Children ages 5+ who are moderately or severely immune compromised should get additional primary doses as recommended by CDC and their specialist or primary care physician.
Drink plenty of water and eat a meal before getting a vaccine.
Masks are required and must cover the mouth and nose.
Plan to stay for 15 minutes after vaccination per CDC guidelines. Children and teens are encouraged to bring items to keep busy during this time.

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts graphic

What to Expect After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

child getting vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to stop the spread of the pandemic. Thank you for doing your part.

Here’s more information and resources for after you get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brenner Children’s medical experts answer questions about how safe and effective the Pfizer vaccine is for children ages 5 and up.

What is an mRNA vaccine?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, a new type of vaccine that was developed using technology that researchers have studied for decades. In fact, the technology was originally developed in case we needed to mass-produce vaccines for a pandemic.

The mRNA vaccine teaches our cells how to make a protein that looks like a piece of the COVID-19 virus. That protein is called a spike protein and is found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. The spike protein triggers an immune response in the body. Basically, the body is tricked into thinking it has the virus and therefore makes antibodies against the virus. The antibodies protect you from getting sick if you are exposed to or infected with the virus.

Are mRNA vaccines safe for my child?

At this time, only the Pfizer mRNA vaccine is approved for use in individuals ages 5-17. mRNA vaccines are very safe. Because they do not have the COVID-19 virus, they cannot cause COVID-19. The mRNA does not interact with our DNA because it never enters the nucleus, where the DNA is housed. Once the mRNA is used to make the protein that triggers the immune response, the cell gets rid of the mRNA. As we roll out vaccines for adults and children, the CDC will continue to look for any safety concerns with vigilance.

Should I be worried about how quickly mRNA vaccines were created?

No. The government removed many barriers, including financial and logistical, that usually cause delays in vaccine development. Pharmaceutical companies shifted priorities away from other projects and focused all their resources on vaccine development.

Once we know the genes of a virus and its parts, mRNA vaccines are relatively quick and easy to manufacture. All the rigorous processes and safety protocols that are embedded in any drug or vaccine development were followed in this process.

What has research shown us about how effective the Pfizer vaccine is in children and teens?

The trials for Pfizer included people 16 to 18 years old from the very beginning. Then, researchers started enrolling the next group of children and teens age 12 to 15, followed by the next group of children ages 5-11.

Since we had all the pre-existing data from the original studies of larger populations of older patients, we didn’t need to study quite as many children. The studies for children and teens 5 and older were open to people of all ethnic backgrounds and races to join. The data shows that the Pfizer vaccine is as much as 100% effective in protecting against COVID-19 disease.

Is the Pfizer vaccine effective against variant strains in children and teens?

We are still learning how well vaccines work against variant strains. A variant of COVID-19 is the same virus but in a different form. So far, the mRNA vaccines appear to be just as effective against the known variants in protecting against serious infections and hospitalization.

What post vaccination symptoms should children and teens expect after getting the Pfizer vaccine?

We expect to see symptoms following vaccination in some children just like what we have seen in adults. All of these symptoms are because the immune system is activated, which is good. The most common symptoms are fatigue (tiredness), headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea. People can also get redness or pain at the injection site.

Will the vaccine affect my child’s future fertility?

There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine causes any problems with pregnancy or conception. We continue to be watchful about any unexpected side effects. The CDC is constantly monitoring for any unexpected side effects.

If my child already had COVID-19, is it still safe to get the vaccine?

Yes. The only risk is that your child might have slightly increased post vaccination symptoms because they already have some immunity from the infection. Since we don’t know how long immunity after COVID-19 infection lasts, we recommend vaccination even in those who already had the COVID-19 virus. In addition, vaccination after COVID-19 increases coverage of variants.

If my child has a chronic condition, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, should they still get the vaccine?

Yes. In fact, we encourage children (and adults) with chronic conditions to get vaccinated. This is because their risk of severe COVID-19 infection is greater. If you have specific concerns, talk to your child’s doctor.

After my child gets the Pfizer vaccine, can we stop wearing masks?

Until a substantial portion of our population has been vaccinated and virus transmission has been reduced to a low level we should continue to use a mask and keep physical distance from others.

Where can my child get the Pfizer vaccine?

You can schedule an appointment at one of our pediatric clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brenner Children’s medical experts answer questions about how safe and effective the Pfizer vaccine is for children ages 5 and up.

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COVID-19 Vaccines for Ages 5-17

What You Need to Know about Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination and Boosters

What to Expect After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an mRNA vaccine?

Are mRNA vaccines safe for my child?

Should I be worried about how quickly mRNA vaccines were created?

What has research shown us about how effective the Pfizer vaccine is in children and teens?

Is the Pfizer vaccine effective against variant strains in children and teens?

What post vaccination symptoms should children and teens expect after getting the Pfizer vaccine?

Will the vaccine affect my child’s future fertility?

If my child already had COVID-19, is it still safe to get the vaccine?

If my child has a chronic condition, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, should they still get the vaccine?

After my child gets the Pfizer vaccine, can we stop wearing masks?

Where can my child get the Pfizer vaccine?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an mRNA vaccine?

Are mRNA vaccines safe for my child?

Should I be worried about how quickly mRNA vaccines were created?

What has research shown us about how effective the Pfizer vaccine is in children and teens?

Is the Pfizer vaccine effective against variant strains in children and teens?

What post vaccination symptoms should children and teens expect after getting the Pfizer vaccine?

Will the vaccine affect my child’s future fertility?

If my child already had COVID-19, is it still safe to get the vaccine?

If my child has a chronic condition, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, should they still get the vaccine?

After my child gets the Pfizer vaccine, can we stop wearing masks?

Where can my child get the Pfizer vaccine?