COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months and older

Definition

COVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19.

Alternative Names

Vaccines for COVID-19 - children and teens; COVID-19 vaccinations for children and teens; COVID-19 shots for children and teens; Vaccinations for COVID-19 - children and teens; COVID-19 immunizations for children and teens; COVID-19 prevention - vaccines for children and teens; mRNA vaccine for children and teens - COVID-19

Information

COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting COVID-19. These vaccines "teach" your child's body how to defend against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.

WHY CHILDREN AND TEENS SHOULD GET VACCINATED

It's true that most children and teens are at lower risk from becoming very sick from COVID-19. But low risk does not mean no risk. Children and teens can:

Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. So, vaccination is very important to help protect against the virus.

There are many good reasons to have your child or teen get a COVID-19 vaccination:

ABOUT COVID-19 mRNA VACCINES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

There are two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the United States, the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These 2024-2025 mRNA vaccines protect against the current strains of the COVID-19 virus. 

Children ages 6 months to 17 years can get either the 2024-2025 Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine given to children and teens has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults. Dosage is based on the child's age on the day of vaccination. It is not based on the child's size or weight.

SUBUNIT VACCINE

The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine. The vaccine includes harmless pieces of the "spike" protein that causes COVID-19. The vaccine triggers the body to develop antibodies to protect you from the virus. The 2024-2025 Novavax vaccine also protects against current strains of the COVID-19 virus.

VACCINATION SCHEDULE

Your child's vaccination schedule is based on age and vaccination history.

Children ages 6 months to 4 years who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine before can have 2 doses of the 2024-2025 Moderna vaccine or 3 doses of the 2024-2025 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Children ages 12 and older have never received a COVID-19 vaccine before can have 2 doses of the 2024-2025 Novavax vaccine.

Children who have had a COVID-19 vaccine before can have the following shots:

Regardless of vaccination history, to be up to date on their shots

VACCINE MYTHS

COVID-19 vaccines:

To get up-to-date accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website:

VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS

While COVID-19 vaccines will not make children sick, they may cause certain side effects and flu-like symptoms. This is normal. These symptoms are a sign that your child's body is making antibodies against the virus. Common side effects include:

Some side effects from the shot may affect your child's ability to do daily activities, but any side effects will go away in a few days. Even if your child has side effects, they should get the second shot if needed. Any side effects from the vaccine are far less dangerous than the potential for serious illness or death from COVID-19.

HOW TO GET THE VACCINE

There are several ways to find vaccination providers near you.

Learn what to expect when you get your COVID-19 vaccine.

VACCINE SAFETY

The safety of vaccines is the top priority, and COVID-19 vaccines for children have passed rigorous safety standards before approval. They continue to be closely monitored to ensure they are safe and effective.

Serious health events from COVID-19 vaccines, such as an allergic reaction, are rare.

Rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) have been reported in children and teens ages 5 years and older after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Symptoms of myocarditis and pericarditis include:

If your child or teenager has any of these symptoms, get medical help right away.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19 vaccines. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/index.html. Updated September 10, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Myths & facts about COVID-19 vaccines. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/myths-facts.html. Updated August 30, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Updated September 11, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Use of COVID-19 vaccines in the US. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html. Updated September 6, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024.


Review Date: 2/22/2023
Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 09/24/2024.
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