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COVID Vaccines for Young Children: What Parents Need to Know

On December 8, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the updated (Bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine to include children 6 months and older.

The American Academy of Family Physicians has endorsed the approval. The Academy believes it will help prevent COVID-19 infection in this age group. It will also help children improve their development both emotionally and socially.

The vaccine will reduce the need for future school closures, disruptions, and quarantine times. It will also allow sports, after-school, and other school-based activities to happen without the risk and anxiety of potential severe illness from COVID-19.

When is your child up to date?

Everyone 6 years and older should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they’ve received any original COVID-19 vaccines. Learn more at CDC Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines.

Things to consider

The CDC says that, although children are at a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19, they can still:

  • Become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
  • Get very sick from COVID-19
  • Have both short- and long-term health complications from COVID-19
  • Spread COVID-19 to others

It’s important to have a COVID-19 plan for your child so you have all the information you will need on hand if your child get sick with COVID-19.

Vaccinating children can help protect family members. This includes siblings who may be too young to get vaccinated and family members who may have an increased risk of getting sick if they are infected.

If you want more information on the vaccine or to schedule an appointment, you can:

  • Check with your child’s family doctor about whether they offer the vaccination.
  • Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if walk-in or appointments are available for children.
  • Contact your state, local, or tribal health department for more information.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Is my child old enough to receive the vaccine?
  • What are some of the possible side effects of COVID vaccines for children?
  • Is the vaccine dangerous?
  • What can happen if I don’t get my child vaccinated?

Resources

The Centers for Disease Control: Stay Up to Date With Vaccines

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: COVID-19 Vaccines

Acknowledgments: The AAFP “Improving Adult Immunization Rates Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations” Project is supported by a Cooperative Agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (6 NU66IP000681-02-01) (The authors are solely responsible for the content and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC).

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