1. The COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 is safe and effective.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children is over 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5 through 11 years.
Watch this video for information on how the vaccine was developed and why it is safe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqrM1bqQ7AE&list=PLKYV5259WcZ0dQPiGaPzP_kPJ3G3Dyd7u&index=2
Before recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children, scientists conducted clinical trials and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine met the safety and efficacy standards for emergency authorization in children ages 5 through 11 years.
2. Getting a vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and older from spreading COVID-19 to others.
Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can:
- Protect the entire family ─ including siblings who are not yet eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
- Keep them in school and safely participating in sports, play dates, and other group activities.
- Help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
3. A child may have some side effects after vaccination ─ which are normal signs their body is building protection.
In the clinical trials with children ages 5 through 11 years, no serious safety concerns were identified. Reported side effects were mild and similar to those experienced after routine vaccines.
Possible side effects among children after COVID-19 vaccination may include:
- Soreness at the injection site
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Low-grade fevers
These side effects may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some children have no side effects.
The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks.
4. The COVID-19 vaccine dose given to children ages 5 through 11 years is not the same as the dose given to adults and teens. It is based on age ─ not weight.
Unlike many medications, COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight but by age on the day of vaccination. This is also true for other routinely recommended vaccines, like flu or hepatitis vaccines.
Children will need a second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine three weeks after their first shot.
- More than one dose is necessary for your child to have the most protection and build greater immunity.
- If a child turns from 11 to 12 years of age in between their first and second dose, the second dose should be the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine people 12 years and older. However, if a child receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years for their second dose, they do not need to repeat the dose and they will still be considered fully vaccinated.
5. The COVID-19 vaccine given to adults and teens cannot be given to children ages 5 through 11.
The COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and teens.
The COVID-19 vaccine for children comes in a different vial with a different color cap to make it clear to vaccine providers which vaccine is for children ages 5 through 11 years and which is for people ages 12 years and older.
