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Your Guide to the Vaccine for Children Under 5 Years Old

Your Guide to the Vaccine for Children Under 5 Years Old

The moment thousands of parents have been waiting for is finally here! As of June 18, the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved and recommended by the federal government for babies and children as young as six months.

Due to the limited vaccine availability, Mary’s Center will start vaccinating patients coming into the clinic for other appointments during the next few weeks, and we plan to expand our vaccination process for this age group in early July at all sites.

In the meantime, find out everything you need to know about the new vaccines from Dr. Jessica Schroeder, Director of Pediatric Medicine:

Which vaccines are approved?

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old, and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years old. After the FDA’s approval, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unanimously voted to recommend the vaccines.

Why did it take so long for the vaccine for children under 5 to be approved?

The COVID-19 vaccine has been extensively studied to help understand the correct dose and number of vaccines needed to produce a good immune response. It is important that regulators take their time in ensuring that the vaccine adequately protects young children without compromising safety and effectiveness.

Did any children in the clinical trials for the vaccine have adverse reactions?

The clinical trials showed that it is a very safe vaccine. In a trial, one group gets the actual vaccine, and another group gets a placebo (not the vaccine). The number of adverse reactions was the same in both groups, which means the vaccine did not cause any additional risk of adverse reaction.

What’s the difference between the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for children under 5?

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe for children and effective. The main difference is in the doses:

  • Moderna has two doses administered four weeks apart. This vaccine has a slightly higher concentration per dose than the Pfizer vaccine.
  • Pfizer has three doses, with the first two administered three weeks apart, followed by another dose two months later.

While both vaccines produce strong antibody levels – which helps prevent serious infection – initial data indicates that the three-dose Pfizer vaccine is more effective at preventing even mild infections.

How different is this vaccine from the one for children 5-12 years old?

The difference is in the dosage – for the Pfizer vaccine, the dose for 6 months to 4 years old is 3 micrograms, the dose for 5 to 11 years old dose is 10 micrograms, and the adult dose is 30 micrograms.

What’s the risk level for children under 5 for not getting vaccinated?

According to the CDC, 442 children under 5 years old have died of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Data has shown that unvaccinated children and teens are 6 to 10 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are vaccinated, and hospitalization rates have increased since the Omicron variant became dominant. The largest increase in hospitalizations was for children under 5, who were ineligible for vaccination during this time.

Is it really necessary to vaccinate children this young with this vaccine?

Yes, the vaccine will prevent severe illness in infants and young children.

What happens if I don’t want to vaccinate my child?

We recommend the vaccine for all infants and children over 6 months, but it is ultimately a parent’s choice to vaccinate or not.

Will the Covid-19 vaccine be part of children’s mandatory vaccines moving forward or is it a temporary vaccine?

We will likely recommend a COVID vaccine in a similar way to the flu vaccine moving forward.

Are there side effects from the vaccine?

Most side effects are mild, such as pain at the injection site or a low fever.

What recommendations should parents follow if children present any side effect?

Pain relievers/fever reducers such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can be given for pain or fever.

Will the vaccine prevent children under 5 from getting COVID-19?

The purpose of the vaccine is to prevent severe illness, but some mild infections still may occur.

Do children under 5 still need to wear masks after they are vaccinated?

In certain situations, masks are still recommended. If your children are over 2 years old, you should strongly consider having them wear a mask in crowded public spaces, on trains and planes, if they are in close contact with elderly people or those who are immunocompromised, or at higher risk for severe disease. Masks are also a good idea in areas where COVID-19 cases are rising. It’s important to remember that high-risk children and adults are still vulnerable to severe infection even when vaccinated.

What are the most common COVID-19 symptoms in children under 5?

The most common symptoms are runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough, and body aches.

What should parents or caregivers do if these symptoms appear? 

Even if your infant or child has been vaccinated, you should test them for COVID-19 if they have symptoms. Make an appointment with your pediatrician if your child has concerning symptoms like  fever or pain, or a cough that is interfering with sleep or play.

Learn more about Mary’s Center’s COVID-19 services here.