A: Vaccinating children does not only protect the child, but it can also help protect close family members, including those who are not eligible for vaccination or are at high risk of developing severe complications from the primary infection. Since the pandemic began, children represented 16.6% of total covid infection cases. For the week ending October 28, children account for 24.2% of reported weekly COVID-19 cases (children, under age 18, make up 22.2% of the US population)

A: Yes, the only vaccine approved by CDC and FDA for children 5 through 11 years of age is the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.  The vaccine was closely monitored for safety and no serious side effects have been reported.

A: Yes, the vaccine trials showed an adequate immune response, with a 90.7% rate of effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 in children between 5 to 11 years of age.

A: Yes, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a two-dose primary series, 3 weeks apart. It is a lower dose than the one used for individuals 12 years of age and older

A: The reported side effects include:

• Injection site pain, redness, and swelling
• Fatigue
• Headache, muscle, and joint pain
• Chills and fever
• Swelling lymph nodes
• Nausea
• Decreased appetite

Most side effects were reported after the second dose, mostly within the first 2 days after receiving the vaccine.

*There is no current evidence that the vaccine is related to fertility complications

A: The CDC does not recommend any pain-relieving medication to prevent side effects. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be administered in the event the child develops headache, body aches or fever post-vaccination.

A: No, the vaccine can’t cause an active COVID-19 infection. The vaccine will help the body to prevent an infection by triggering an immune response in the case of further COVID-19 exposures.

A: The highest risk for Myocarditis after the Covid-19 vaccine has been seen in adolescent ages 12-17 males; it is very rare.  No children in the over 2000 cases between the ages 5 to 11 has reported myocarditis.

A: Yes, the vaccine can be given at the same time of other vaccines (Influenza, HPV, etc).

A: If your child has received the 5–11-year-old dose and turns 12 before his or her second dose, he or she should receive the same dose as the first dose to complete the series.

A: A history of an allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or to a previous dose of the vaccine