Coronavirus condition 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are now available to youngsters ages 5 and up in the U.S. This is what mother and father and youngsters need to have to know about the basic safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, the probable side consequences, and the gains of finding vaccinated.

If youngsters never often knowledge severe health issues with COVID-19, why do they need to have a COVID-19 vaccine?

A COVID-19 vaccine can prevent your child from finding and spreading the virus that brings about COVID-19.

If your child will get COVID-19, a COVID-19 vaccine could prevent him or her from getting severely unwell or encountering limited-time period or very long-time period issues. Little ones with other wellness disorders, these types of as being overweight, diabetic issues and asthma, could possibly be at greater danger of significant health issues with COVID-19.

Acquiring a COVID-19 vaccine can also help keep your child in faculty and far more properly have playdates and take part in sporting activities and other group things to do.

What COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for youngsters in the U.S.?

In the U.S., COVID-19 vaccines are available to youngsters by age group:

  • Ages 5 by means of eleven. The U.S. Foodstuff and Drug Administration (Food and drug administration) has offered unexpected emergency use authorization to a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for this age group. This vaccine involves two injections, offered 3 weeks aside. It has a decrease dose than the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine employed for people today age twelve and more mature. Analysis displays that this vaccine is about ninety one% helpful in blocking COVID-19 in youngsters ages 5 by means of eleven.
  • Ages twelve by means of fifteen. The Food and drug administration has offered unexpected emergency use authorization to a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for this age group. This vaccine involves two injections, offered 3 weeks aside. It has the identical dose as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people today ages 16 and more mature. The 2nd dose can be offered up to six weeks soon after the to start with dose, if needed. Analysis has proven that this vaccine is 100% helpful in blocking COVID-19 in youngsters ages twelve by means of fifteen.
  • Ages 16 and more mature. The Food and drug administration has authorized a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, now called Comirnaty, for this age group. This vaccine involves two injections, offered 3 weeks aside. The 2nd dose can be offered up to six weeks soon after the to start with dose, if needed. This vaccine is ninety one% helpful in blocking severe health issues with COVID-19 in people today age 16 and more mature. Early investigation also suggests that the vaccine is 96% helpful at blocking severe condition with COVID-19 induced by the delta variant, the most typical COVID-19 variant in the U.S right now.

How did the Food and drug administration identify the basic safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for use in youngsters?

For youngsters ages 5 by means of eleven, the Food and drug administration reviewed a vaccine review of far more than 4,600 youngsters in this age vary. Of this group, about 3,100 had been offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The other youngsters had been offered an inactive (placebo) shot. Little ones who had been offered the vaccine had been monitored for side consequences for at least two months soon after the 2nd dose. Side consequences had been frequently mild to average.

The Food and drug administration also took an early search at conditions of COVID-19 that occurred just one 7 days soon after youngsters had been offered a 2nd dose of the vaccine. None of the youngsters in this assessment experienced been formerly identified with COVID-19. Between 1,305 youngsters offered the vaccine, there had been 3 conditions of COVID-19. Between 663 youngsters offered the placebo, there had been 16 conditions of COVID-19. The success suggest that the vaccine is about ninety one% helpful in blocking COVID-19 in this age group.

For youngsters ages twelve by means of fifteen, the Food and drug administration reviewed a vaccine review of far more than two,200 U.S. youngsters in this age vary. Of this group, about 50 percent had been offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The other youngsters had been offered a placebo shot.

A 7 days soon after the 2nd dose was offered, there had been no conditions of COVID-19 in the 1,005 youngsters offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Between 978 youngsters offered the placebo, there had been 16 conditions of COVID-19. None of the youngsters experienced formerly been identified with COVID-19. The success suggest that the vaccine is 100% helpful at blocking COVID-19 in this age group.

What are the side consequences of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for youngsters?

Little ones offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines experienced side consequences comparable to all those skilled by people today age 16 and more mature. The most commonly noted side consequences incorporate:

  • Ache where by the shot was offered
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Muscle mass ache
  • Fever
  • Joint ache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Nausea
  • Decreased hunger

Identical to grownups, youngsters have side consequences in just two days soon after vaccination that typically previous 1 to 3 days. A lot more youngsters noted these side consequences, except for injection web-site ache, soon after the 2nd dose of the vaccine. Nonetheless, some people today have no side consequences.

Immediately after your child is offered a COVID-19 vaccine, he or she will be monitored for fifteen to thirty minutes to see if he or she has an allergic reaction that requires procedure.

It is just not advised that you give your child an around-the-counter ache reliever prior to vaccination to prevent side consequences. It can be Okay to give this form of medication soon after your child will get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Can COVID-19 vaccines have an effect on the heart?

In the U.S., there has been an increase in noted conditions of myocarditis and pericarditis soon after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, specifically in males ages twelve by means of 17. Myocarditis is the irritation of the heart muscle mass, though pericarditis is the irritation of the lining exterior the heart. These studies are uncommon. One particular review suggests that the danger of myocarditis in the 7 days soon after becoming entirely vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is about 54 conditions per million doses offered to males ages twelve to 17.

Of the conditions noted, the problem happened far more frequently soon after the 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and typically in just a number of days soon after COVID-19 vaccination. Most of the people today who obtained treatment speedily felt superior soon after acquiring medicine and resting. Indications to observe for incorporate:

  • Chest ache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feelings of acquiring a quickly-beating, fluttering or pounding heart

If you or your child has any of these signs or symptoms in just a 7 days of finding a COVID-19 vaccine, look for clinical treatment.

Is there any investigation on the very long-time period consequences of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines?

Simply because COVID-19 vaccine medical trials only started out in the summer time of 2020, it is really not yet apparent if the vaccines will have very long-time period consequences. Nonetheless, vaccines hardly ever bring about very long-time period consequences.

A part of the youngsters in each individual age group had been monitored for basic safety for at least two months soon after becoming offered the 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As aspect of its to start with request for unexpected emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, Pfizer Inc. developed a basic safety checking prepare. The prepare now contains the checking of youngsters and adolescents offered the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, in the U.S. all vaccination companies are demanded to report significant adverse events, these types of as allergic reactions, to a national method called the Vaccine Adverse Occasion Reporting Process.

How do the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines perform?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA). Researchers have been learning mRNA vaccines for a long time.

Coronaviruses have a spikelike structure on their surface area called an S protein. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give recommendations to immune cells for how to make a harmless piece of an S protein. Immediately after vaccination, cells commence building the protein items and displaying them on mobile surfaces. The immune program recognizes the protein and commences developing an immune reaction and building antibodies. Immediately after providing recommendations, the mRNA is immediately damaged down. It never ever enters the nucleus of the mobile, where by DNA is saved.

Is there any change in the substances or dosing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for young youngsters, more mature youngsters or grownups?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 by means of eleven has a decrease dose (ten micrograms) than the vaccine employed for more mature youngsters and grownups (thirty micrograms). Smaller sized needles are becoming employed to deliver the vaccine to youngsters ages 5 by means of eleven.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 by means of eleven also has a distinctive buffer than the vaccine employed for more mature youngsters and grownups. This distinctive buffer, which is employed in other
Food and drug administration-authorized vaccines, will help keep the vaccine stable in refrigerated temperatures for longer.

The substances and dosing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are the identical for youngsters ages twelve by means of fifteen and people today age 16 and more mature.

Are there any youngsters who should not get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

This vaccine is not yet available to youngsters young than age 5. Scientific trials involving young youngsters are in development.

The vaccine also shouldn’t be offered to a child with a regarded heritage of a severe allergic reaction to any of its substances. If this is the circumstance, your child could possibly be equipped to get another COVID-19 vaccine in the potential.

Can a COVID-19 vaccine give a child COVID-19?

No. The COVID-19 vaccines now becoming created in the U.S. never use the dwell virus that brings about COVID-19.

Can a COVID-19 vaccine have an effect on fertility or menstruation?

There is no evidence that any COVID-19 vaccines bring about fertility problems.

A smaller range of girls have noted encountering temporary menstrual changes soon after finding a COVID-19 vaccine. A smaller review has also proven that some girls skilled temporary menstrual changes soon after finding COVID-19. It is not apparent if finding COVID-19 or a COVID-19 vaccine brings about these changes. Additional investigation is needed.

Continue to keep in brain that numerous items can have an effect on menstrual cycles, which includes infections, strain, rest problems and changes in diet or physical exercise.

Can youngsters who get COVID-19 knowledge very long-time period consequences?

Any one who has experienced COVID-19 can produce a write-up-COVID-19 situation. Analysis suggests that youngsters with each mild and severe COVID-19 have skilled very long-time period signs or symptoms. The most typical signs or symptoms in youngsters incorporate:

  • Tiredness or exhaustion
  • Headache
  • Problems sleeping
  • Problems concentrating
  • Muscle mass and joint ache
  • Cough

These signs or symptoms could have an effect on your child’s ability to go to faculty or do his or her regular things to do. If your child is encountering very long-time period signs or symptoms, contemplate talking to your child’s teachers about his or her demands.

How can youngsters get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Consult your regional wellness department, pharmacy or your child’s medical doctor for information and facts on where by your child can get a COVID-19 vaccine. When building an appointment for your child to get a COVID-19 vaccine, contemplate asking these queries:

  • Does a guardian or guardian need to have to be present at the appointment?
  • What information and facts will need to have to be offered through the appointment?
  • Is there a limit on how numerous spouse and children users, these types of as siblings, can go to the appointment?

How shortly can a child get a COVID-19 vaccine prior to or soon after finding another vaccine?

A COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines can be offered on the identical day.

Beforehand, owing to the newness of COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC experienced advised from finding any other vaccines two weeks prior to and soon after finding a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC modified its recommendation based on basic safety facts collected in recent months.

Bear in mind, COVID-19 vaccination will defend most people today from finding sick with COVID-19. If you have queries or problems about your child finding a COVID-19 vaccine, converse to your child’s medical doctor. He or she could possibly be equipped to help you weigh the dangers and gains.