
Children ages 6 months and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine is now available for children 6 months to five years old.
All three approved vaccines for adults, including the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, were effective in helping prevent severe cases of COVID-19. In the expanded clinical trials Pfizer and Moderna conducted for children 6 months and older, the vaccines provided similar protection.
Side effects of the vaccine given in children were similar to those reported by adults. For adults, common side effects after COVID-19 vaccine include swelling or redness at the injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, chills and nausea. Some people have no side effects.
Please keep in mind that the Pfizer vaccine given to children 5 and older is given in two doses. For children under 5, it is a three-dose series. The Moderna vaccine is given in two doses spaced about 4 weeks apart and is available for children 6 months through 5 years old. The vaccines are given in smaller amounts to children as compared to the adult vaccines.
While COVID-19 has not been as serious to children as it has been in adults, children are still able to get the virus and transmit it to others. 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, call 211 or visit ourshot.in.gov to find the location closest to you. Several COVID-19 vaccine locations also offer walk-in appointments.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to your child at no cost to you. You will not have to pay a fee or any other extra charge. The federal government has arranged to buy the vaccine and provide it to individuals. 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.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for ages 6 months to 5 years old now available
Many offices are offering the vaccine to current patients who may schedule their vaccine during regular office hours. To learn more, find a list of locations.
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. You will not have to pay a fee or any other extra charge. The federal government has arranged to buy the vaccine and provide it to individuals. 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.
How are the vaccines administered?
The Pfizer vaccine for children 5 and older requires two doses. For children 6 months to 5 years, the vaccine requires three doses. The Moderna vaccine for children requires two doses. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose.
How will I schedule my child’s second vaccination?
You will schedule an appointment for your child’s second dose while at their first appointment. Keep this in mind when selecting a day/time for their first appointment. You and your child will need to be available to return to the same location 21 days after your first appointment (Pfizer vaccine), or 28 days later (Moderna vaccine).
The second dose for these vaccines should be given within the recommended time frame. According to the CDC, if it is not feasible to adhere to that interval, the vaccines may be scheduled up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.
Who is eligible for an updated (bivalent) booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Anyone 5 and older who received their last COVID-19 shot two months ago is eligible. The Pfizer booster shot is available to anyone 5 and older. The Moderna booster shot is available to anyone 6 and older.
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 or, in rare cases, hospitalization. Research on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have shown that they are safe; no new safety problems were found in the studies.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Ages 6 Months and Older
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to children ages 6 months and older. To schedule an appointment, call 211 or visit ourshot.in.gov. Several COVID-19 vaccine locations also offer walk-in appointments.
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