COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 12 and Older
5 min read
The Facilities for Illness Management recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers ages 12 and older. Pfizer was accepted to be used on this age group in January 2022, and Moderna was accepted to be used in ages 6-17 in June 2022.
The American Academy of Household Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC advocate that everybody 6 months and older get the vaccine to guard towards COVID-19. Kids ages 6 months and older and adults ought to keep updated with COVID-19 vaccination, together with at the very least one dose of a bivalent mRNA vaccine. For individuals ages 6 years and older who will not be immuno-compromised, a single bivalent mRNA dose is sufficient to think about them updated, no matter earlier vaccination standing.
The CDC’s webpage, Why Children and Teens Should Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19, is a useful useful resource for fogeys and caregivers.
Path to improved well being
Vaccination for COVID-19 in adolescents and adults who will not be immunocompromised is now simplified.
- For individuals ages 12 years and older who’re unvaccinated, a single bivalent mRNA dose is really helpful and can convey them updated.
- For individuals ages 12 years and older who’ve had at the very least one dose of a monovalent mRNA vaccine or non-mRNA vaccine up to now, a single bivalent booster dose at the very least 8 weeks after the final monovalent dose is really helpful.
Most adolescents and adults who’ve already obtained a bivalent dose will not be eligible for an additional shot.
Why ought to I get my youngster a COVID-19 vaccine?
Kids and adolescents can get COVID-19 simply as simply as adults and transmit it to others. See the facts about COVID-19 in children. Getting your youngster vaccinated will assist shield your loved ones and others from critical sickness because of COVID-19.
Different vaccine advantages embrace:
- All COVID-19 vaccines at the moment out there within the U.S. have been proven to be secure and efficient at stopping COVID-19, in keeping with the CDC.
- Being vaccinated helps forestall the unfold of COVID-19.
- People who find themselves vaccinated are a lot much less possible get COVID-19. In the event that they do, the vaccine prevents them from getting severely in poor health.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine secure for teenagers 12 and older?
Sure, it’s secure. The FDA and CDC have decided that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines met rigorous security and effectiveness requirements. No critical security considerations or unwanted side effects have been seen within the medical trials, and the vaccine makers proceed to watch security. They do that by maintaining with individuals who participated within the preliminary medical trials.
COVID-19 vaccines have been used underneath essentially the most intensive security monitoring in U.S. historical past, which incorporates research in adolescents, in keeping with the CDC. Whereas instances of myocarditis (irritation of the guts) have been noticed on this age group, these situations are uncommon and largely gentle with signs resolving with out intensive remedy. The possibility of getting myocarditis is far larger for those who get COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine can’t offer you COVID-19. The vaccine doesn’t comprise a stay virus that causes COVID-19. As an alternative, it consists of messenger RNA (mRNA) to assist your physique determine and shield towards the virus. It doesn’t change your DNA in any method.
When ought to I get my youngster the COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC recommends that every one kids who’re 6 months and older get the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as potential to guard them towards sickness from COVID-19. In case your youngster hasn’t obtained their vaccine but, speak to their physician about getting it and any considerations that you’ve. In case your youngster has not too long ago had a COVID-19 an infection, you’ll additionally need to speak with their physician about after they can get their major sequence or booster shot.
If my youngster has already had COVID-19, do they should get the vaccine?
Well being consultants say that it’s best to get the vaccine even for those who’ve already had COVID-19. They consider the vaccine might present stronger immunity, even for many who have had the virus. It is because coronaviruses usually don’t create long-lasting pure immunity in people. So your youngster ought to nonetheless be vaccinated.
The place can I discover my youngster a COVID-19 vaccine?
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is straightforward. About 9 out of 10 People stay inside 5 miles of a COVID-19 vaccination web site, in keeping with the CDC. To seek out the location closest to you, go to vaccines.gov; textual content your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or name 1-800-232-0233.
How a lot does a COVID-19 vaccine price?
The federal authorities is offering the vaccine freed from cost to all individuals dwelling in the US, no matter immigration or medical health insurance standing, says the CDC. Which means you can’t be charged for the vaccine. Your vaccination supplier could search reimbursement out of your insurance coverage (or Medicare/Medicaid), however can’t cost you the steadiness of what insurance coverage doesn’t cowl.
Issues to contemplate
Just like adults, your youngster could have some unwanted side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Nevertheless, extreme unwanted side effects are uncommon. The commonest unwanted side effects embrace ache, redness, and swelling of their arm the place they received the shot. Different signs could embrace headache, fever, fatigue, and muscle ache. These unwanted side effects final solely a day or two.
In case your youngster has extreme allergic reactions to sure vaccine parts, they could not have the ability to get the vaccine. This doesn’t embrace allergic reactions to meals resembling shellfish or peanuts. The CDC published guidelines for getting the vaccine, which define precautions for vaccination in individuals with recognized allergic reactions to the vaccine parts or had an allergic response to the primary dose of an mRNA vaccine. As all the time, in case you are not sure, test with your loved ones physician first.
Inquiries to ask your physician
- Can my youngster get a COVID-19 vaccine throughout the identical go to with different vaccines?
- How lengthy does safety from the COVID-19 vaccine final?
- If my youngster not too long ago had COVID-19, how lengthy do they should wait to get the vaccine or a booster dose?
- If my youngster has an underlying situation, can they nonetheless get the COVID-10 vaccine?
Sources
COVID-19 Boosters
COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Copyright © American Academy of Household Physicians
This data offers a normal overview and will not apply to everybody. Speak to your loved ones physician to seek out out if this data applies to you and to get extra data on this topic.
