Currently, Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine is available for youth ages 5 and older. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines are not yet approved for children under age 18.

Vaccination for children and teens is important because they can get infected with, be hospitalized and suffer long-term symptoms from COVID-19.

View the CDC’s information on:

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What you Need to Know
Where can I get My Child Vaccinated
Ages 5-11
Ages 12-17
Resources

 

 

What You Need to Know

 
GO VAX Delaware! The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and proven to protect against serious illness. Need more reasons? Talk to your pediatrician today.

  • Children and teens need two doses at least 3 weeks (21 days apart)
  • Children and teens with weakened immune systems need 3 doses (plus a booster for those 12+)
  • The FDA and CDC have indicated COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children and teens
  • Serious side effects are rare
  • No long-term side effects have been identified
  • There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems
  • The risk of developing heart complications (myocarditis, pericarditis) is higher after having COVID-19 than after getting the vaccine

 

 

Where Can I Get My Child Vaccinated?

 

Particularly with younger children, DPH recommends parents contact their child’s pediatrician or family doctor/health care provider for vaccination. However, if the provider is not offering vaccination, or it’s simply more convenient families can check our vaccine locator: Visit de.gov/getmyvaccine for a location near you

 

*Note: Written parental consent is required to vaccinate individuals younger than 18 years old, however the parent is not required to be on site with the child during the vaccination.

 

 

Children Ages 5 – 11

 

Children ages 5 – 11 receive an age-appropriate dose of the vaccine:

  • Pediatric dose (10 mcg) is 1/3 the adult dose (30 mcg)
  • Reducing potential side effects was one reason the dosage was lowered for those 5-11.
  • Addition of tri-sucrose, an inactive ingredient used in other vaccines making it easier to dilute and stabilize in a refrigerator
  • Trial Data showed the vaccine was found to be more than 90% protective against developing symptomatic COVID-19 (including among children with asthma and obesity)
GO VAX Delaware! The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and proven to protect against serious illness. Need more reasons? Talk to your pediatrician today.

 


 

Children ages 12 – 17

 

  • Teens 12 and older receive the same dose of Pfizer as adults do
  • Teens 12 and older who are relatively healthy can wait up to 8 weeks for their second dose of the vaccine
  • Teens ages 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 5 months after getting their first two doses.
Get your child vaccinated for COVID-19 It's the Healthiest Choice.

 

 

Resources:

 


Report Vaccination Violations

Submit complaints about a vaccination provider by using this form, if you think they are violating any of these requirements.

Get More COVID Data

For more data on Delaware COVID cases, testing and outcomes, including demographic breakdowns, go to My Healthy Community


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