COVID-19: Vaccines for Children, Parents, and Pregnant People

COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone ages 6 months and older. Getting your child vaccinated helps prevent them from getting severely sick and helps protect them from long-term complications or even death.

Make sure your family is up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and make an appointment near you today.

What should you expect at your child’s vaccination visit?

• Most vaccination sites may require vaccine recipients under 18 years old to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Some vaccinators accept written or verbal (such as via telephone) consent to administer the COVID-19 vaccine from the child’s legal parent or guardian.
• Your child can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other routine vaccinations.
• After your child gets a COVID-19 vaccine, they will be observed for at least 15 minutes. If they experience any immediate reactions, medical staff will be available to help right away.
• Shortly after your child gets their vaccine, they may experience mild side effects, such as fever, chills, and pain or swelling on the arm that got the vaccine. These are common signs that their immune system is strengthening its response to the virus.

Is it safe to get vaccinated if I am pregnant?

Experts in fertility, maternal care, and public health continue to strongly urge all individuals who are pregnant now or want to have children in the future get a COVID-19 vaccine. People who are pregnant are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Getting sick from COVID-19 infection when pregnant can cause preterm birth, stillbirth, and other pregnancy complications.

Vaccination either before conception or early during pregnancy is the best way to reduce maternal and fetal complications. Vaccinated people are far less likely than unvaccinated people to get COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting severely sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.