COVID-19 Vaccines at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

FAQ: Understanding the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots

• Can my child get a COVID-19 vaccine?

  Yes, if your child is at least 6 months old. Learn more about eligibility from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Who shouldn't get the COVID-19 vaccine?

  Anyone who's had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of a COVID vaccine – or to any of its ingredients – shouldn't get that type of vaccine.

  Children who have allergies – such as to pollen, specific medications or pet dander – should get the vaccine when they're eligible but should remain at the vaccination site for 30 minutes after receiving their injection, instead of the 15 minutes that most people are asked to wait.

  There are some reasons for delaying your child's vaccination, such as the following circumstances:

  • Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should wait until the symptoms have resolved and self-isolation is no longer required.
  • People diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome should wait until they are recovered and at least 90 days have passed since their diagnosis.

• Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for kids?

  We know that COVID vaccines are safe and effective for kids age 6 months and up. This is based on data from clinical trials involving thousands of children. Because most negative effects from this type of vaccine – called an mRNA vaccine – occur within six weeks of receiving the shot, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the manufacturer to provide eight weeks of safety data after the last dose. None of the children vaccinated in these trials experienced severe side effects.

  A very small percentage of people may have a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, to any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. If anaphylaxis occurs, vaccine providers have medication on hand to treat it immediately.

  Some parents have expressed concerns about the vaccine. Here are the facts on a few common misconceptions.

  Myth: Due to the pandemic's urgency, COVID vaccines weren't tested as thoroughly as other medications.

  Fact: The vaccine manufacturers and the FDA followed all the usual vaccine-testing protocols. Thanks to ample funding and large numbers of clinical trial volunteers, the process was faster than usual, but no steps were skipped. The prevalence of the virus also allowed researchers to complete their studies relatively quickly.

  Myth: The vaccines are risky for adolescents because their bodies are still developing.

  Fact: The mRNA vaccines don't affect hormone levels, and there's no reason to believe they could impact adolescents' development or reproductive health, either immediately after vaccination or years later.

  Myth: The vaccine can cause recipients to shed the virus and infect others.

  Fact: The COVID vaccines used in the U.S. don't contain live virus, so getting vaccinated can't cause someone to shed the virus. You can't contract COVID-19 from the vaccine.

• If kids have a milder response to the coronavirus, why should my child get vaccinated?

  Although children have a lower risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, it still happens. Consider the following:

  • As of March 2023, more than 15 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and more than 1,700 of them died of it. (See the CDC's COVID data tracker for more information.)
  • Some kids with COVID develop a dangerous condition called "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children," or MIS-C. Since the beginning of the pandemic, several thousand children have been diagnosed with MIS-C. About 60 to 70% of them required intensive care, and about 1 to 2% died.
  • We don't yet know whether COVID-19 infection has long-term effects on kids' health.

  Vaccination is highly effective in protecting people from contracting the virus and in preventing serious symptoms in those who do contract COVID. Vaccinating all eligible children and adults is also critical for limiting the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable family and community members, such as those with underlying conditions that put them at risk of serious illness if they get COVID.

  Widespread vaccination has the potential to end the pandemic and allow us all to return to school, work and our favorite activities.

• If my child has a medical condition, should I inform the vaccine provider?

  Tell the provider about any medical conditions that affect your child. In particular, let the provider know if your child:

  • Has any allergies
  • Has had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart)
  • Has a fever
  • Has a bleeding disorder or is taking a blood-thinning medication
  • Has an autoimmune condition or takes a medicine that affects the immune system
  • Has received a previous COVID-19 vaccine
  • Has ever fainted in association with an injection

• Do the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters have side effects?

  Reviewed March 2023

  Like all medicines, the COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects, but they are generally mild and temporary. They vary from person to person. Some people have no unpleasant reactions, while others feel lousy for as long as a few days. Learn more about side effects from the CDC.

  Side effects don't mean your child is getting sick. They indicate that the immune system is responding to the vaccine and building protection against the virus. (Rest assured that this protection develops even if your child doesn't have side effects.) Side effects may occur again after a booster shot.

  If your child is uncomfortable after getting the vaccine, it's fine for them to have a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. We don't recommend giving pain relief medication before the shot as a way to prevent side effects.

  In rare cases, people have had allergic reactions to the shot (see below) or suffered serious side effects, including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart). The vast majority of these cases have been mild and have resolved quickly. However, if your child experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, or an unusual heartbeat (fast, fluttering or pounding) within a few days of being vaccinated, seek medical attention immediately.

• How long before the COVID-19 vaccine takes full effect?

  As with adults, children are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the last dose of their primary series. For most children, this will be after their second dose. For children ages 6 months to 4 years who receive Pfizer, it's after the third dose. Until then, your child should continue following all the usual COVID-19 precautions.

  Note: People with weakened immune systems may not be protected even after they're fully vaccinated. If your child has a condition or takes a medication that compromises immune function, speak with your family's pediatrician. More information regarding immunocompromised patients is available from the CDC.

• Does my fully vaccinated child need to continue taking precautions?

  Public health recommendations continue to shift in response to the changing patterns of COVID-19 transmission. More information is available from the California Department of Public Health.

• Does my child need a booster shot?

  The COVID-19 virus is always changing (making new variants). That's what viruses do and that's why it's important to stay up-to-date on booster shots, which stoke the immune system to fight both old and new forms of the virus. Explore the CDC's answers to frequently asked questions about boosters, including:

  • Do boosters use the same ingredients as existing vaccines?
  • What are the risks to getting a booster?
  • Am I still considered "fully vaccinated" if I don't get a booster?