Vaccine Database
Latest News: CDC Director Statement on Pfizer’s Use of COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Age 12 and Older
Today, I adopted CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that endorsed the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and its use in 12- through 15-year-old adolescents. CDC now recommends that this vaccine be used among this population, and providers may begin vaccinating them right away.
Though most children with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, some children can get severely ill and require hospitalization. There have also been rare, tragic cases of children dying from COVID-19 and its effects, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C.
This official CDC recommendation follows Monday’s FDA decision to authorize emergency use of this vaccine in 12- through 15-year-old adolescents, and is another important step to getting out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and closer to normalcy.
For vaccination to do its job, we must do our critical part. That means vaccinating as many people as possible who are eligible. This official CDC action opens vaccination to approximately 17 million adolescents in the United States and strengthens our nation’s efforts to protect even more people from the effects of COVID-19. Getting adolescents vaccinated means their faster return to social activities and can provide parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing their family is protected.
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Page last reviewed: May 12, 2021
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Children & Teens
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
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Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
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Get sick from COVID-19
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Spread COVID-19 to others.
CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination.
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Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.
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Getting vaccinated can bring you one step closer to enjoying the activities you miss.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine
General Outlets for the COVID-19 Vaccine:
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Your Local Pharmacy's Website (Links to Major Pharmacy's Available Below)
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Your Healthcare Provider
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State or Local Government Department (Links Available Below for U.S. States & Links to international resources below)
Major Pharmacy Websites​
U.S State COVID-19 Information
National COVID-19 Vaccine Locator
Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.
Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can:
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COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, which includes studies in adolescents.
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You will need a second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine 3 weeks after your first shot.
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You can’t get COVID-19 from any COVID-19 vaccine, including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
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You may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit or without waiting 14 days between vaccines.
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Prepare for your vaccination visit.
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Get tips for how to support yourself before, during, and after the visit.
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Learn more about what to expect.
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Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies you may have.
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To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, you should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.
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After your COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 15–30 minutes so you can be observed in case you have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.
Possible Side Effects
On the arm where you got the shot:
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Pain
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Redness
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Swelling
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Throughout the rest of your body:
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Tiredness
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Headache
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Muscle pain
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Chills
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Fever
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Nausea
Cost of COVID-19 Vaccines
You will not be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination providers cannot:
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Charge you for the vaccine.
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Charge you any administration fees, copays, coinsurance, or the balance of the bill after appropriate reimbursement.
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Deny vaccination to anyone who does not have health insurance coverage, is underinsured, or is out of network.
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Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination.
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Require additional services in order for a person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; however, additional healthcare services can be provided at the same time and billed as appropriate.
SCAM ALERT: If anyone asks you to pay for access to vaccine, you can bet it’s a scam. Don’t share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for an extra fee.
Information Source: CDC.gov (Updated May 16th, 2021)
International Resources for the COVID-19 Vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides the most accurate and reliable information about the COVID-19 Virus and Vaccine efforts.
Information on progress and development on WHO's efforts on the COVID-19 Vaccine and their work with partners.
For country-specific information, visit the World Health Organization's partner site locator.
