Covid-19 Vaccines Now Available for Kids 6 Months and Older in the USA

Covid-19 Vaccines became available Tuesday for millions of children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years in the USA.

Children 6 months to 4 years old should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been authorized by the federal government for this age group.

Children can receive the Moderna vaccine at sites operated by the City. Appointments are recommended for these sites, but walk-ins will be accepted as well.

Ask your child’s pediatrician if they will be offering the vaccine. Some pharmacies may offer vaccine to children 3 years and older.

Parents or guardians must consent to have their child vaccinated. Children younger than 15 years must have an adult with them when they get vaccinated.

Vaccines can protect you and your community from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccines are available at no cost to you and regardless of immigration status.

Vaccination is safer than risking illness and long-term health effects from COVID-19. Even people who have had COVID-19 should get vaccinated.

The vaccines will help your child develop immunity and provide them with protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Children may experience similar side effects of vaccination as adults, with usually mild effects lasting one to two days.

The more contagious variants of COVID-19 that have been spreading have caused some children to get sick, be hospitalized and die. The best way to protect your child is to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.

Children younger than 5 years should get the same vaccine for their second (and third) doses of their primary series as they received for their first dose. They will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after either their third Pfizer dose or second Moderna dose.

Pfizer

• Ages: 6 months to 4 years
• Doses: Three
• Schedule: Second dose taken at least 21 days (3 weeks) days after the first, and the third dose taken at least 56 days (8 weeks) days after the second.

Moderna

• Ages: 6 months to 5 years
• Doses: Two
• Schedule: Second dose delivered at least 28 days (4 weeks) after the first.

A parent or guardian must provide consent for their child to be vaccinated in person, by phone or in writing, depending on the vaccination site. They will not need to provide proof they are the child’s parent or guardian.

Children ages 15 and younger should be accompanied to the vaccination site by a parent or guardian, or another adult caregiver designated by the parent or guardian.