COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5-11: Q&A with Healthcare Experts (English and Spanish)
Answers to common parental/ guardian questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children
We asked scientists and medical experts some of the most common questions parents/guardians have when deciding to vaccinate children 5-11 years old.
Q: Will it be ok to get the Covid vaccine at the same time as receiving other vaccines, such as the flu or HPV vaccines?
Yes, it is safe and effective to receive the COVID vaccine near or at the same time as receiving other common pediatric vaccines, such as Influenza or HPV.
– Pornima Kamran Kavathekar, MD MPH, General Pediatrician at HealthPartners and Regions Hospital, Adjunct Assistance Professor, Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Q: The size of children between 5-11 varies significantly. Will the 1/3 dose be as effective for a large 11 year old as a small 5 year old?
In the data submitted to the FDA, there were no differences in the immune responses to the 1/3 dose across age groups. The large number of children across all ages within 5-11 that were included in this study shows that the dose does a good job of maintaining the ability to generate a strong immune responses while minimizing adverse side effects.
– Andy Pekosz, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair Dept. of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Q: My child already tested positive for COVID-19 and has antibodies, so do they still need to get vaccinated?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended even for children who have had a COVID-19 infection. The vaccine may provide better and longer lasting protection.
– Sarah Schaffer DeRoo, MD, MA, Attending Physician, Children’s Health Center Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University
Q: If COVID risk is low for kids, why should I rush to get my kid vaccinated?
Vaccinating our children can provide immense benefits to reducing infection of others who may be at more risk, including grandparents, teachers, and other families. Recent research suggests thatvaccination of 5-11 year-olds is expected prevent 600,000 infections over the next 4 months.
– Shaun Truelove, PhD, Assistant Scientist, International Health Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Q: What concerns if any are there with this shot and young boys having reactions?
While there were a small number of vaccinated young men in the 16-29 year age group who developed myocarditis after receiving the adult dose of the vaccine, there were no cases of myocarditis identified in the 5-to-11-year old vaccinated participants who received the pediatric dose.
– Poornima Kamran Kavathekar, MD MPH, General Pediatrician at HealthPartners and Regions Hospital, Adjunct Assistance Professor, Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Q: A friend mentioned that she intends to “wait and see” if the vaccine is safe before she vaccinates her child. Can you address that the process was rigorous and scientific and therefore safe?
The clinical trial process unfolded like it would any for any therapeutic product. There were no corners cut regarding safety or efficacy. The only difference between this vaccine development process and other processes is that certain stages overlapped. That is because we are in a pandemic and are trying to reduce morbidity and mortality related to COVID.
– Rupali J. Limaye, PhD, Director, Behavioral & Implementation Science, International Vaccine Access Center Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Q: If the mRNA vaccines are amazing and the science is clear, why haven’t they been used before this?
mRNA vaccines are amazing and are based on several decades of research. It took the huge financial investment in research and manufacturing capacity that was stimulated by the pandemic to bring these
vaccines to the public.
– William Moss, MD, MPH, Executive Director, International Vaccine Access Center Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Q: Can you provide guidance for post-vaccination mask use?
COVID-19 vaccines are successful at preventing hospitalization and death, but vaccinated people can still get and spread COVID-19. Because there are long-term effects of infection, it is important to use multiple layers of protection even after your child gets the vaccine, including masks while indoors.
– Manya Magnus, PhD, MPH, Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Epidemiology Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
Q: My child already tested positive forCOVID-19 and has antibodies, so do they still need to get vaccinated?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended even for children who have had a COVID-19 infection. The vaccine may provide better and longer lasting protection.
–Sarah Schaffer DeRoo, MD, MA Attending Physician, Children’s Health Center Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University