Children ages 5-11 are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, and many parents, caregivers, and children have questions about what to expect on vaccination day and how to support your kid through the vaccination process. We’re here to provide resources and help answer those questions.
Many children may be anxious or afraid of needles and getting a vaccine. National Geographic has an excellent article on navigating a vaccination appointment with your child. Based on this article and what we know about children, here are our top suggestions to make your child’s vaccination trip a positive one.
- Talk with your child about their concerns. They may not remember their last vaccine and might be afraid. By talking with them about their specific fears, you may be able to clear up some questions that they have and make the process seem less scary.
- Give your child some choice in the process. Have them pick out something enjoyable or distracting to bring to the appointment like silly-putty, a stuffed animal, or a tablet and have them pick out a short-sleeve shirt to wear.
- Keep yourself calm! Children are really good at picking up on emotions and they can sense your anxiety, which makes them anxious.
- Make them part of the conversation about the process. Talk with your child, let them know what date and time. Share with them beforehand that they will be getting a vaccine to help protect them. Explain that it will be a quick poke or pinch in the arm and it is over fast. If you got one too, tell them about your experience. Children do better when they know what to expect.
- Positive Reinforcement! Smile, offer encouragement, hold their hand, and, if possible, let the child pick out a prize for after the vaccine, like ice cream or a visit to the Connecticut Science Center! Non-monetary prizes might include a stop at the playground, trip to the library, watching an episode of their favorite show, or even an extra book at bedtime. Use something attractive to your child, you know them best.
What can we expect when we go to a vaccine clinic?
At the vaccine clinic your family will be greeted by someone who will ask a few questions about how your child is feeling that day and they will take everyone’s temperatures. They want to make sure that no one is feeling sick so that your immune system isn’t fighting off a cold when you get vaccinated. Next the grown-ups will have to fill out some paperwork. Then your family will be called over to a doctor or nurse who will give your child the vaccination – the doctor or nurse will clean the area for the shot with a wipe, and then the shot will be a quick pinch that will be over by the time you count to 5. Finally, you all will sit in a waiting area for 15-30 minutes to make sure you feel ok after your vaccine and don’t have a rare allergic reaction. The waiting time is a perfect time to take a celebratory photo of your tough arm!
Is it safer for my kid to gain immunity by catching COVID-19?
It is not safer to build immunity by catching COVID-19. COVID-19 can have many negative side effects in children ranging from illness, hospitalization, and death, or long-term side effects like Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome-C (MIS-C), where different parts of the body become inflamed. The vaccine is over 90% effective in children and will help protect children from the negative side effects that can come with COVID-19 infection.
Why do children get a different vaccine dose than adults?
Children ages 5-11 receive a COVID-19 vaccine with the exact same ingredients as the adolescent and adult vaccine, but a smaller dose. This dosage was chosen in clinical trials because it was the smallest dose found to be effective for younger children’s immune systems. It is also in a different buffer than the adult vaccines that helps the vaccine last for a longer amount of time in the refrigerator; this buffer is used in many medications and vaccines. For more information, check out the CDC’s frequently asked questions page.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Children have the same reactions that most people have – they may have no reaction to the vaccine, they may have a sore arm, or they may experience general cold symptoms like headache, tiredness, or a low-grade fever. The sore arm and general cold symptoms are just a sign that their immune system is responding to the vaccine. For more information on vaccine side effects, check out this article on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Can I give my child a fever-reducing medication for their side effects?
Children can have acetaminophen or ibuprofen if they develop a fever after their vaccination. It is important to not give your child fever-reducing medications before their vaccination appointment because it can affect their immune system and reduce their response to the vaccine. For symptoms after vaccination, it is ok to take a fever-reducing medication. For more frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines and children, check out the Connecticut Children’s COVID-19 FAQ page.
We hope that these resources help prepare your family for upcoming vaccination appointments and that you have a happy and healthy 2022!
Jessie Scott is a STEM Educator who enjoys encouraging students’ enthusiasm for science. She teaches classes to students visiting the Science Center and brings STEM lessons to schools across Connecticut. Jessie completed her Master of Science degree in Microbiology at Dartmouth College and worked as a science educator at the Montshire Museum of Science before coming to the Connecticut Science Center. Her scientific interests are biology – how living things have adapted different strategies to survive in their environments, insects, and plants. In her free time, Jessie likes to go rock climbing, hiking, and skiing.
