COVID vaccines are updated to work best against strains of the virus that are currently circulating. Our immunity to
COVID-19 decreases over time. That's why it is important for your family to stay up to date with COVID vaccines.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the COVID vaccine for all infants and children age 6 months through 23 months. Children younger than 2 years old are at highest
risk for severe COVID-19. Beyond that age, it recommends the vaccine for children and teens with increased risk factors for severe COVID.
The vaccine also should be available for children ages 2-18 who do not fall into these risk groups, but whose parent wants them to have COVID vaccine protection.
Getting the COVID vaccine is the safest and most dependable way to help protect against severe COVID-19 and its complications. Keep reading to learn more.
AAP COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
Who
SHOULD receive the COVID vaccine?
All children age 6 months through age 23 months, unless they have a medical reason not to, since they are at high risk for severe COVID and
hospitalization.
Children and teens ages 6 months through 18 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. These children may need additional doses based on their vaccination history and health condition.
Children and teens
age 2 years through 18 years with these risk factors:
Health
conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID
Living in long-term care facilities or other group settings
Never having been vaccinated against COVID
Having household contacts who are at high risk for severe COVID
Who
CAN receive the COVID vaccine?
Children age 2 through 18 years without risk factors can get a single dose of the updated COVID vaccine. Talk with your pediatrician.
Recommended dose & type of COVID-19 vaccine for children & teens
Children are up to date when they get all doses of COVID vaccine as recommended in the
AAP immunization schedule. The number of doses will depend on how many COVID vaccine doses your child has already received.
COVID vaccines for children include mRNA vaccines and, for some teens age 12 years and older, another type of vaccine called a
protein subunit COVID vaccine.
Any available COVID-19 vaccine appropriate by age and health status can be administered and the most updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine that is available should be used.
Do kids need to wait to get the vaccine if they had COVID-19?
Talk with your pediatrician about the best timing for vaccination following infection. If your child has an active COVID infection or had COVID between doses, they should wait to get vaccinated until they've recovered and are no longer contagious.
Your child can get the vaccine even if they had COVID. COVID vaccines have been shown to provide the strongest, broadest and most long-lasting protection—both in people who have and have not had COVID infection before. Some people who became infected also may be at higher risk of long-term effects from their infection (known as
long COVID).
Talk with your pediatrician if you have vaccine questions or concerns.
More information