What Do I Need To Know Before My Child Gets A COVID Vaccine?

Almost half of US children aged 12 to 17 have been fully vaccinated against COVID and on November 2nd, the CDC recommended the COVID vaccine for everyone aged 5 and up. In the UK, the medicines regulator (MHRA) states the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is considered safe and effective for children aged 12 to 17.

Many women in our community want to know more about COVID vaccine safety in children and we’re here to dive into what we already know, what the research currently shows, and other things you should know before your child gets vaccinated.

Misinformation spreads like wildfire and we know how hard it can be to find science-backed information that you trust, so if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or will be in the future, be sure to checkout this post, COVID & Pregnancy: Vaccinations & Latest Research Findings, and give it a bookmark because it’s updated regularly!

Ultimately when it comes to vaccine recommendations for you or your child, you should talk with your healthcare provider, or your children’s, and weigh the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated.

Are COVID vaccines really safe and effective for children?

In clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine showed around 90.7% effectiveness in preventing symptomatic COVID in children aged 5 to 11. In over 3,000 vaccinated children, no serious adverse events were found relating to the vaccine and side effects were generally either mild or moderate. Some of the most common side effects seen in children after COVID vaccines were very similar to young adults, such as pain at place of injection, headaches, and fatigue.

The US and UK have been able to utilize vaccine data in children from other countries like the Canada and Israel to help guide their recommendations.

Why does my child need a COVID vaccine if children are low-risk?

Research shows that although effects of a COVID infection may be more mild in children than adults, it can unfortunately still cause intense illness, hospitalization, and more severe complications. Black, Hispanic, and Native American children were around 3 times more likely than White children to be hospitalized with COVID.

Tragically in the US, almost 2 million children between ages 5 and 11 have fallen sick with COVID, around 8,300 children have been hospitalized. According to a CDC analysis, this age group showed hospitalizations increasing around 5 times during the summer delta variant surge. The analysis also showed about 30% of children hospitalizations were found to have no underlying health conditions that would put them at increased risk for adverse events. More research needs to be done to fully understand the effects of COVID on children and adolescents.

Not only can being sick be miserable, but often results in school disruptions and increased social isolation — both of which have an impact on mental health and have been going on throughout the pandemic already. Due to the emotional toll of the pandemic, the AAP declared a national emergency in children’s mental health.

Why is the COVID vaccine dose different for children aged 5 to 11?

Vaccine dosages are determined by a person’s age, rather than height or weight. Since doses are given a few weeks apart, the CDC recommends vaccine dosages be given based on the age you are at vaccination.

Since children aged 5 to 11 generally have a responsive, robust immune system, it essentially allows their bodies to process about 1/3 of the vaccine as compared to what a 12 year old would receive. Interestingly, these smaller doses still result in a similar amount of antibodies produced as compared to other ages!

In addition, giving children aged 5 to 11 a smaller dose showed less bothersome side effects like fever and chills following the second vaccine dose compared to those 12 years and older. 

If you’re wondering about children younger than 5 years old, currently clinical trials are testing a 3 microgram vaccine dose which is about one-tenth of the adult dose.

Can a child get a COVID vaccine and another vaccine at the same time?

When the vaccine was being rolled out, the CDC had recommended no other vaccines be given a few weeks before and after getting a COVID vaccine. The CDC recently updated its recommendation and now states a COVID vaccine and other vaccines can be given at the same time or same day. If you were looking to get the flu and COVID vaccine at the same time, there should be no issue for you or your child. Still it’s always best to check with your child’s healthcare provider before receiving any vaccines.

How To Support A Child Getting Vaccinated

Here are a few tips on how to prepare and support your child while getting vaccinated:

• A sweet tooth will numb the pain. Did you know tasting something sweet can help reduce the pain response? A small amount of sucrose or glucose before the vaccine can help make it a bit more enjoyable!

• Bring along a comfort item. This could be a favorite toy, game, book, or anything else that you think your child would appreciate and help create a comfortable, calm environment.

• Set the tone with your energy. Talking in a slow, soothing voice, while being kind and praising will help reassure the child and ease any tension.

• Smile and make eye contact. Reassure your child that they are safe and loved — a little nonverbally communication can really go a long way here!

Do you have any questions about COVID vaccines and children? Let us know in the questions below and we will do our best to get you the trusted information you need at this time!

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