Children ages 6 months and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Children ages 5 and older need one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Children 6 months to 4 years old may need multiple doses, including one dose of the updated vaccine.
All approved COVID-19 vaccines are effective in helping prevent severe cases of COVID-19. View the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccine page for the latest updates.
Side effects of the vaccine given in children are similar to those reported by adults. Those include swelling or redness at the injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, chills and nausea. Most people have no side effects.
Please keep in mind the COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5 is given in up to three doses depending on the child’s previous COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines are given in smaller amounts to children as compared to the adult vaccines.
Infected children are able to transmit the virus to others. Previously healthy children have gotten sick with COVID-19 requiring their hospitalization and some have required admission to the ICU. Children with other conditions such as obesity and diabetes have the greatest risk of severe disease.
Getting a vaccine helps protect those around you, including older people or those with chronic medical conditions who may be more likely to get a serious case of COVID-19 if they were to catch it.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you. Several COVID-19 vaccine locations offer walk-in appointments.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to your child at no cost to you through insurance or by programs such as Vaccines for Children. If you do have insurance, bring your insurance card. The information will be collected to bill a small administration fee to your insurance company, but no cost will be charged to you.
What to Expect
What to Expect
Visit our COVID-19 Health Information page for more vaccine-related questions.
Will there be a cost for the vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to your child at no cost to you through insurance or by programs such as Vaccines for Children. If you do have insurance, bring your insurance card. The information will be collected to bill a small administration fee to your insurance company, but no cost will be charged to you.
Who is eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccine?
Everyone 5 and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Does a parent/guardian need to be present for a minor child to receive a vaccine?
A parent/guardian must consent for a minor child (under the age of 18) to receive a vaccine during registration. The preference is that the parent/guardian be with the minor at the vaccination site.
We understand this may not always be possible and, in those cases, parents/guardians can provide written or verbal authorization.
Are there side effects after getting the vaccine?
After getting vaccinated, your child may have some mild to moderate side effects, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. The most common side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where they received the shot. In addition, your child may have fever, chills, tiredness and headache.
If your child develops symptoms within 48 hours after their vaccination, but they resolve within 24 hours of starting, no action is needed.
Why should my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Children are still at risk, and it’s hard to predict which kids infected with COVID-19 will develop severe symptoms that could lead to missing school, hospitalization or, in rare cases, death.
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