Pediatric (5-11 year olds) COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

Should my child receive the vaccine? Is it safe for kids?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Children can get sick from the virus and certainly play a role in the spreading it. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization for your child.

We only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) have certified as safe and effective. 

COVID-19 vaccines may be given without regard to timing of other vaccines and they may even be administered during the same visit. (COVID-19 vaccines were previously recommended to be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines. This was out of an abundance of caution and not due to any known safety concerns or concerns about interference with effectiveness.) 

Are kids receiving the same vaccine that a parent or other adult receives?

Adolescents age 12-15 years receive the same two-dose regimen currently being administered to those who are ages 16 and older. Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine.

Children 5-11 years old receive a two-dose regimen that is 1/3 of what is given to adults and adolescents. The two doses in this series are given 3 weeks/21 days apart (the same timing as used for the adult and adolescent vaccine).

When should 5-11 year olds get vaccinated?

Vaccination against COVID-19 should not be delayed, even if your child has previously had COVID. There is also no concern around the timing of other vaccines. Children may receive their COVID shot along with other vaccinations during the same visit. 

If your child will be turning 12 soon, they should not wait for a higher dosage. Getting a vaccine as soon as possible is of the utmost importance.

If a child turns 12 between their first and second dose, they will be considered fully vaccinated if they  receive the pediatric vaccine for their second dose. 

Should my child receive the vaccine? Is it safe for kids?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way of preventing your child getting ill with COVID-19. Children can get sick from the virus and certainly play a role in the spreading it. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization for your child. Although the number of pediatric deaths is much lower than adults, COVID-19 is one of the top 10 causes of death for kids in the United States. Long COVID is also a concern for children.

We only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) have certified as safe and effective. 

Is the vaccine effective?

Yes. The pediatric version of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was shown to be more than 90% effective in clinical trials. There were no severe cases of COVID-19 during the clinical trials and the vaccine was shown to work against the Delta and other known variants of concern.

What side effects are children experiencing?

The most common side effects reported in children are mild-to-moderate fever, fatigue, headaches, chills, diarrhea, and muscle and joint pain. Rare side effects include swollen lymph nodes and skin sensitivity.

Is myocarditis a concern?

Vaccine-induced myocarditis (heart inflammation) is very rare and much milder compared to COVID-19-induced myocarditis. In the few cases that have occurred, most were hospitalized and no children died. Sympdoms typically arose within 7 days of vaccination and full recovery happened within approximately 34 days. 

Was the vaccine rushed?

No. COVID-19 Vaccine development leveraged the concerted effort and funding of many scientists around the world who built upon decades of previous work to produce a vaccine in less than one year. Previous mRNA research started in 1961, with the first clinical trial in 2001. 

No corners were cut in proving the safety or efficacy of the vaccines. Due to the high interest in participating, U.S. Phase I, II and III trials were filled quickly. Due to the high rate of community spread during the trial periods, there was not a long wait to reach the minimum number of COVD cases during the clinical trials.

Does mRNA affect DNA?

No. It is not biologically possible for messenger RNA (mRNA) to alter DNA. It does not have the ability to enter the cell nucleus where DNA lives. The vaccines do not include anything that would allow the mRNA to be converted to DNA nor insert itself into DNA.

Are long-term side effects possible?

Based on what is known about mRNA and the human body, no long-term side effects are expected. In the history of vaccines, serious adverse side effects only occur within the first two months of rollout. We now have more than 12 months of COVID-19 vaccine follow-up data.

Vaccine ingredients do not linger are cleared from the body very quickly. mRNA is very fragile and degrades within 72 hours of injection. 

mRNA vaccines are not made of the actual virus and do not contain weakened, dead or noninfectious parts of a virus.

Thousands of people have gotten pregnant after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. There have been some reports of a menstrual cycle change however, the body is mounting an immune response and this is likely a temporary side effect similar to a fever.

If my child has already had COVID, do they need a vaccine?

Yes. The immune response to natural infection is not as focused as vaccine immunity and has been shown to be less effective than vaccination at protecting against variants of concern. Getting a vaccine after recovering from COVID-19 strengthens the immune response.

More Parents' Vaccine Questions Answered

The following Q&A with the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several other physicians specializing in epidemiology and pediatrics was originally livestreamed on October 19, 2021.