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COVID Vaccines for Young Children Questions and Answers

Vincent Iannelli, MD

New COVID vaccines have finally been authorized for younger children!

Many pediatric providers have already received their first shipment of Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines for young 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:

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?

Understand that your child is not protected until they complete their primary schedule of these COVID vaccines. The Moderna COVID does have a benefit that you can get protection quicker, with just two doses, while you are not protected until after you get that third dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

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

The Moderna COVID vaccine can be stored in a vaccine refrigerator for up to 30 days. The vials must be thawed before use and then discarded after 12 hours after the first dose has been withdrawn.
Although the Pfizer COVID vial label states age 2y to <5y, it can be used in children ages 6months to 4years. It also must be discarded 12 hours after dilution, not after 6 hours.

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.

The dose depends on your child’s age on the day they are to be vaccinated, they could get a 3mcg dose of Pfizer vaccine for their first dose and a 10mcg dose for their second if they turned five years between doses, although they would still need a third dose. They could also get an early 10mcg dose if they are almost 5 years old, finishing the primary series with another 10mcg dose after they turned five!
Infants and younger toddlers will get their COVID vaccine in their thigh.

Providers and parents should also know that:

Have more questions?

Ask your pediatric provider, who has likely been preparing for infant/toddler COVID vaccinations.

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