New COVID vaccines have finally been authorized for younger children!

So , what questions do you have?
COVID Vaccines for Young Children Questions and Answers
Of course, some of the best places to get those answers are from the FDA and CDC, including the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheets for these vaccines:
- Planning for Under 5 COVID-19 Vaccinations
- FDA – EUA Moderna COVID Vaccine 6 months to 5 years (healthcare providers)
- FDA – EUA Moderna COVID Vaccine 6 months to 5 years (recipients and caregivers)
- Receiving & Storing Moderna COVID Vaccines
- Receiving & Storing Pfizer COVID Vaccines
- FDA – EUA Pfizer COVID Vaccine 6 months to 4 years (healthcare providers)
- FDA – EUA Pfizer COVID Vaccine 6 months to 4 years (recipients and caregivers)
- CDC – Interim Clinical Considerations Update for Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines
- CDC – COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Children and Teens
- CDC – Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens
Most importantly, know that “CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19″ and that both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines are safe and effective for these younger kids.
Which vaccine should you get your child?

Unless you have a choice, you should likely just get the first one that is available. They are both safe and effective.


What if your child has a birthday around the time they are getting vaccinated? The CDC provides instructions when transitioning from a younger to an older age group.


Providers and parents should also know that:
- It is expected that children will experience fewer side effects than adolescents and young adults.
- Children with a past history of COVID should still get a COVID vaccine.
- COVID vaccines may be given (coadministration) with other pediatric vaccines.
- You do not have to repeat the dose if an error was made and a child received a higher than authorized dose.
- You should repeat the dose immediately if an error was made and a child received a lower than authorized dose, although you might want to wait 8 weeks if you are concerned about any extra risk of myocarditis, especially in teen and young adult males.
- If your child recently had a natural COVID infection and a history of MIS-C, then they might wait for 90 days before getting a COVID vaccine
- there are few contraindications to getting the Pfizer COVID vaccine, but they do include having a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine or an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose or known (diagnosed) allergy to a component of the vaccine
- Parents can sign their kids up for v-safe so that they can tell CDC about any side effects they are having after they are vaccinated.
- Side effects after vaccination should also be reported to VAERS.
Have more questions?
Ask your pediatric provider, who has likely been preparing for infant/toddler COVID vaccinations.
More on COVID Vaccines for Young Children Questions and Answers
- Are Kids Dying With COVID-19?
- Adding Dependent Children to Your V-Safe Account
- The Truth About COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccination Questions and Answers
- COVID Vaccine Safety in Children
- CDC – COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form for Child Under 18 or Adult Conservatee
- CDC – Prevaccination Checklist for COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID Vaccine Administration Checklist
- CDC – How to Add a Dependent in V-safe
- FDA – Spikevax and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
- FDA – Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 Vaccine Product Guide
- CDC – COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Healthcare Professionals
- CDC – Clinical Considerations for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccination in Adolescents
- CDC – COVID-19 Vaccination Schedules
- COVID-19 CPT vaccine and immunization codes
Fabulous collection. Thank you!