COVID-19 VACCINES AND KIDS | Tufts Health Plan

A Message from Dr. Elvin,
Chief Medical Officer at Tufts Health Plan

Dr. David Elvin head shot "Since I am both a pediatrician and a parent, many parents ask me if the COVID-19 vaccines are safe for their children. I understand their worries. They want to protect their children from COVID-19. At the same time, they don’t want to take a chance on the vaccine if it is unsafe.

I had these same concerns. To make decisions for my family, I relied on data from studies and experts I respected. I came to the same conclusion as most health experts across the country and here in Rhode Island. The vaccine is safe and effective for those 5 and older. COVID-19 poses a much greater risk to our children than the vaccine does.

Tufts Health Plan developed this resource page to bring you information you can trust about COVID-19 vaccines for kids. Being a parent, I know you need to feel you are doing the right thing for your children. I hope that sharing my views and the important information on this page helps you make the right choices for your family."

David Elvin, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Tufts Health Plan

Do Kids Need a Vaccination?

Yes, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here's why:

Kids can get infected and very sick from COVID-19.
They can have short-term and long-lasting health problems from the virus.
Kids who get COVID-19 can spread it to family members, friends and strangers.

Once kids are fully vaccinated, they'll be able to do many of the activities they did before the pandemic.

Ready to get your child vaccinated?

START HERE

Vaccines Approved for More Kids

Kids ages 5 to 11 can now get a COVID-19 vaccine - and there is no cost to families. Kids in this age group need a parent or guardian with them when they get the shot. It's a good idea to make an appointment for your child.

Here are some tips to help you find a vaccine site:

Call your child's pediatrician to see if they give COVID-19 shots
Look for school-based COVID-19 clinics
Search for vaccine sites near you
Check with your local pharmacy, like CVS or Walgreens
Call 844-930-1779 or 2-1-1 to make an appointment by phone

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine and how to get your children vaccinated.

At what age can children get a COVID-19 vaccine?

U.S. health officials have approved use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 and older. A thorough review of data showed the vaccine was 90.7% effective against COVID-19 in children age 5 to 11. No major safety issues were found.

Is the vaccine safe for children ages 5 to 11?

Yes, data show the vaccine is safe and effective. About 4,700 kids took part in a Pfizer vaccine trial; 3,100 received the vaccine. None of them had serious side effects. Some children had soreness in the upper arms, aches, fever or fatigue. These symptoms are normal and show that their bodies were building protection against COVID-19. Millions of kids in the United States have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Health experts say the risk associated with COVID-19 are much greater than any risks associated with the vaccine.

Do kids need more than one dose?

Yes. Your children should get two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. They should get their second dose at least three weeks after the first dose. Experts urge parents to have their children vaccinated as soon as possible. This will help protect them if there is a rise in cases this winter. Kids are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose.

Is the vaccine for younger kids the same as the one for older children and adults?

Children age 5 to 11 get a shot with one-third the dose given to older children and adults. Kids ages 5 to 11 need two doses of the vaccine, given three weeks apart, like older people. They are fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose.

Why should I get my child vaccinated?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that kids are affected by COVID-19:

Children age 5 to 11 make up nearly 40 percent of cases in people under age 18.
By mid-October 2021, more than 8,300 children ages 5 to 11 were hospitalized for COVID-19.
COVID-19 is one of the top 10 causes of death for this age group.

Data from the Rhode Island Department of Education show the risks facing kids who are unvaccinated:

More than 90% of students in Pre K through grade 12 who tested positive for COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
67% of those who tested positive were ages 5 to 11.
Hospitalization rates have been 10 times higher among unvaccinated adolescents.

We know vaccines work. Millions of kids age 12 to 17 have been safely vaccinated in the U.S. They have a high degree of protection against COVID-19. They also are 10 times less likely to spend time in the hospital due to COVID-19.

Is there concern about the vaccine causing heart problems?

As of November 1, 2021, no one in the large vaccine trial for children ages 5 to 11 developed myocarditis or pericarditis (heart problems). Very few cases of these heart problems have been reported among the millions of people of all ages who got the vaccine. Most health experts agree that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks.

If my child turns 12 soon, should I wait for the larger dose?

No. It’s better to vaccinate your child as soon as possible. The sooner your child is protected, the better it is for your child and their close contacts.

Does my child need to wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they need other immunizations too?

No. Your child can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same visit.

Will my child need a consent form? Do I need to be with them for the shot?

Will a parent and/or child need to show identification?

Identification is not needed for you or your child to get a COVID-19 shot. There will be no cost to you for the shot.

Do my children need health insurance to get the vaccine?

Your children do not need health insurance. And there is no cost to you when your children get vaccinated. If your children have health insurance, bring their health plan ID cards with you when they get their shots.

How will children get their second dose of the vaccine?

Parents or guardians should schedule their children’s second dose at the time their children get the first dose.

COVID-19 and Children

Talk with your pediatrician about the vaccine for your child.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

COVID-19 VACCINES AND KIDS.

We know you want to keep your kids healthy.

A Message from Dr. Elvin,
Chief Medical Officer at Tufts Health Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine and how to get your children vaccinated.

At what age can children get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Is the vaccine safe for children ages 5 to 11?

Do kids need more than one dose?

Is the vaccine for younger kids the same as the one for older children and adults?

Why should I get my child vaccinated?

Is there concern about the vaccine causing heart problems?

If my child turns 12 soon, should I wait for the larger dose?

Does my child need to wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they need other immunizations too?

Will my child need a consent form? Do I need to be with them for the shot?

Will a parent and/or child need to show identification?

Do my children need health insurance to get the vaccine?

How will children get their second dose of the vaccine?

COVID-19 and Children

Talk with your pediatrician about the vaccine for your child.

A Message from Dr. Elvin, Chief Medical Officer at Tufts Health Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine and how to get your children vaccinated.

At what age can children get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Is the vaccine safe for children ages 5 to 11?

Do kids need more than one dose?

Is the vaccine for younger kids the same as the one for older children and adults?

Why should I get my child vaccinated?

Is there concern about the vaccine causing heart problems?

If my child turns 12 soon, should I wait for the larger dose?

Does my child need to wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they need other immunizations too?

Will my child need a consent form? Do I need to be with them for the shot?

Will a parent and/or child need to show identification?

Do my children need health insurance to get the vaccine?

How will children get their second dose of the vaccine?

COVID-19 and Children

Talk with your pediatrician about the vaccine for your child.

A Message from Dr. Elvin,
Chief Medical Officer at Tufts Health Plan