Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for kids aged 5-11?
On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children ages 5 through 11. The authorization was based on the FDA’s thorough and transparent evaluation of the data that included input from independent advisory committee experts who overwhelmingly voted in favor of making the vaccine available to children in this age group.
What is a Booster Shot?
Booster shots provide additional protection against COVID-19 and help to strengthen protection against severe disease in populations at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 or complications from severe illness.
Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) and the State of Kansas have approved COVID-19 booster shots for all adults ages 18 and older.
- Pfizer Booster Shot
- 5 months after being fully vaccinated for anyone 12 or older.
- Moderna Booster Shot
- 5 months after being full vaccinated for anyone 18 or older.
- Johnson & Johnson Booster Shot
- 2 months after initial vaccine was administered
Can you use any COVID-19 vaccine for a booster shot?
Yes. You can “mix-and-match” booster shots. Any of the COVID-19 vaccines can be used for booster vaccination, regardless of the vaccine you initially received.
What is a 3rd Dose?
Like booster shots, a 3rd dose provides additional protection against COVID-19 and help to strengthen protection against severe disease in populations who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. The 3rd dose is given to eligible populations 28 days after they were fully vaccinated. Regardless of which vaccine you were initially administered, you will be given a full dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Are there side effects from getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
While many people experience little to no side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, most people will experience mild side effects such as soreness at the site of the injection, a headache, chills, and/or a fever. Most people report these mild side effects lasting for 24 – 48 hours. These reactions are normal, they show that the vaccine is working, and are a sign that your body is developing antibodies.
A very small number of people have had an allergic reaction after vaccination. This is extremely rare, and when it happens, vaccine providers have medicines available to effectively, and immediately, treat the reaction. When you are administered your COVID-19 vaccine, you will be asked to wait for 15-30 minutes after while you are monitored to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction.
Who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. If you had a severe allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, CDC recommends that you should not get the second dose.
If you have had an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to a vaccine or injectable therapy for another disease, ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Your doctor will help you decide if it is safe for you to get vaccinated.