On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID‑19 vaccine in children ages 5-11. This means that children ages 5 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated. Parents may feel excited about this news. Others may feel nervous or uncertain. Either way, you likely have questions about the COVID‑19 vaccine and if it's safe for your child.
An infectious disease expert at Children's Health℠ answers parents' frequently asked questions about the vaccine and their child's health. In addition to keeping your child safe, vaccinating children is key to protecting others in your family, as well as the community.
"We know that kids, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, can transmit the virus and are bringing the virus home," says Dr. Jeffrey Kahn. "By immunizing children, we can get this pandemic under control. We all want to return to normal life and with this highly effective vaccine, we have the chance to do that."
