The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is being monitored with the most comprehensive and comprehensive safety monitoring program in US history. CDC monitors the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines after the vaccines are licensed or approved for use, including the risk of myocarditis in children ages 5 to 11.
- Your child may get the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, at the same time.
- Serious health events after getting vaccinated against COVID-19 are rare.
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer layer that covers the heart) have been reported after Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine was administered to children 12 to 17 years of age. These reactions are rare; In one study, the risk of myocarditis after the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech in the week following vaccination was approximately 54 cases per million doses given to males 12-17 years of age.
- After receiving any type of vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, it is possible to experience a serious allergic reaction , but it is rare.
- Your child cannot get COVID-19 from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Learn more about how mRNA vaccines work, like those from Pfizer-BioNTech.
- There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems.
Dosage and Administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Adolescents
- Adolescents 12 years of age and older receive the same dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as adults.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents. However, children ages 5 to 11 cannot receive the same COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech that is given to adults and adolescents. Additionally, children ages 5 to 11 receive an age-appropriate dose equal to one-third the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine. Smaller needles designed specifically for children are used in children 5 to 11 years of age.
- Unlike many drugs, the dose of the COVID-19 vaccine does not vary according to the weight of the patient, but it does vary according to how old they are on the day of vaccination.
- Your child should receive the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine three weeks after their first dose.
Prepare children and adolescents for vaccination
The experience of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will be very similar to the experience of receiving other routine vaccinations. Follow our tips to support your child before, during and after routine vaccinations when getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Talk to your child before the vaccination so you know what will happen .
- Painkillers are not recommended prior to vaccination to try to avoid side effects.
- Tell the doctor or nurse about allergies your child might have.
- To avoid fainting and injuries that a fainting spell could cause, your child should remain seated or lying down during the vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccination.
- After your child has received the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be asked to remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes so that your child is observed for a severe allergic reaction and needs immediate treatment.
After your child is vaccinated against COVID-19
Possible side effects
Your child may have some side effects , which are normal signs that his body is creating protection.
In the arm where you received the vaccine:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
In the rest of the body:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Shaking chills
- Fever
- Sickness
These side effects can affect your child’s ability to go about his daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people do not experience any side effects, and severe allergic reactions are rare. If your child experiences a severe allergic reaction after being vaccinated against COVID-19, the vaccine providers can treat them quickly and call emergency medical services, if necessary.
Ask your child’s healthcare provider if he or she recommends using an aspirin-free pain reliever or other steps at home after your child is vaccinated. In general, the use of aspirin is not recommended in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Placing a cool, damp cloth at the injection site may ease discomfort.
