Joanna Levine, Program Analyst, Public Health Foundation
Nolan Gill, Health Communications Associate, Public Health Foundation
This information was updated on May 20, 2022
As part of the Public Health Foundation’s (PHF) ongoing effort to support healthcare providers and vaccination partners, we compiled resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on frequently asked questions about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination.
As CDC updates recommendations and guidance on facemasks, and we continue navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative for patients to understand and feel confident in vaccine recommendations from their providers. Building vaccine confidence throughout communities is crucial for increasing vaccine acceptance and general trust in the medical system.
These answers to frequently asked questions can help providers in making strong vaccine recommendations which are essential for helping patients make informed decisions.
How is vaccine safety monitored in this age group?
COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. CDC and FDA are using new and established safety monitoring systems. Parents and caregivers can register and enroll their child in v-safe, a free and easy-to-use smartphone-based app. V-safe allows them to report how their child is feeling in the days and weeks after vaccination.
What are the possible side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
Side effects are a normal sign that the body is building protection. These side effects may affect the ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. These include pain, redness, and swelling on the arm where the shot was administered. Throughout the rest of the body, the possible side effects are tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. Adverse effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unusual.
Should children get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC recommends that everyone age 5 years and older get a COVID-19 booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Booster doses should be given 5 months after their primary vaccine series. Additionally, CDC strongly recommends children age 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive a second booster dose at least 4 months from their first booster. Learn more about booster shots.
Is the coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines safe?
Children can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same visit. Studies have shown that side effects after getting vaccinated are the same when COVID-19 vaccines are given alone or with the flu vaccine. The PHF and CDC National Influenza Vaccination Week webinar, Improving Routine, Influenza, and COVID-19 Vaccination This Winter, provides guidance and resources on how to safely navigate the coadministration of vaccines during the pandemic.
Key Resources
Vaccine providers and community partners can use the following resources to navigate conversations with parents and caregivers, helping to confidently recommend and inform COVID-19 vaccine decisions.
A strong recommendation from vaccine providers is a critical step in helping to encourage COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine acceptance.