COVID-19 vaccination for children ages six months through age 5

Vaccinations to protect children from six months – age 5 are now available. The FDA and CDC recommends all children in this age group be vaccinated using the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines which are approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The vaccinations are a smaller dose than adolescents and adults. Parents should contact their clinic to schedule an appointment. Some local pharmacies are also making the vaccines available.

How soon should children in this age group receive vaccination?

MercyOne experts say vaccination of children as soon as it’s available is the best choice, but the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for this youngest age group may be limited to begin. While parents with children in this age group have expressed excitement, others say they want to “wait and see” how the vaccines work.

“The wait and see approach may not be very useful,“ says MercyOne pediatrician Dr. Mustafa Eldadah. “Every day a child is unvaccinated there is risk of them getting a COVID-19 infection. We encourage families to get their child vaccinated as soon as possible. The vaccine is safe and getting it now can help put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Children can be fully protected by the time school starts.”

What are the benefits of vaccinating children?


While most children are at lower risk for severe illness from COVID-19, there are still many unknown long-term effects. While uncommon, it is also possible for children infected with COVID-19 to become seriously ill or worse. Vaccination also allows for a safer return to activities and normal life.

Vaccination will:

• Help prevent the risk of serious illness like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
• Keep your child from missing sporting events or extracurricular activities after exposure
• Reduce the need to quarantine if your child is exposed to COVID-19 at school or elsewhere
• Help prevent long-term effects of COVID-19
• Reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 infection to family members and others at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19

Dr. Eldadah says like any vaccination, some local side effects can happen, however most are minimal.

Common side effects include:

• Pain at the injection site
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Joint stiffness
• More kids reported side effects with the second dose compared to the first dose.
• Rare side effects can happen, such as swollen lymph nodes or skin sensitivity, but these are not long-term and resolved in most cases in a few days.

“Most side effects go away on their own,” says Dr. Eldadah. “Parents can use acetaminophen to provide some relief. Providing plenty of fluids to keep the child well hydrated is also important. If you still have concerns, reach out to your pediatrician or family medicine provider. Care during COVID-19 and other illnesses is best when parents and providers communicate and work together to develop a care plan.”

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

“Development of COVID-19 vaccines for children in this age group and older took about three years, including the requests for more data,” said Dr. Eldadah. “This should help assure the public the vaccine is safe and provides an effective immune response against infection. Even if a COVID-19 infection occurs, the vaccine can help avoid significant complications or the need for hospitalization.”

“I understand families may have concerns after going online looking for information,” says Dr. Eldadah. “It’s important they visit credible websites like the CDC or American Academy of Pediatrics or family medicine sites. These sites share exactly the number of cases and impact in studies. If you still have questions, contact your doctor.”

My child had COVID. Do they need the vaccine?

We know that "natural immunity" can be high, but protection can drop off quickly or change based on circulating variants. If you had COVID-19 once, it is possible to get a different strain again. Evidence shows the vaccines protect you longer and for all the variants to date. Most importantly, the vaccine gives protection and prevents hospitalization for several of the COVID variants.

Your child can get the COVID-19 vaccine once they are out of quarantine. There is no "waiting period," as another strain may come, and the vaccine will protect from getting hospitalized.

Scheduling a vaccination appointment for your child can vary by region. When ready, contact your pediatric or family medicine physician.