Why should I vaccinate my child?
In general, COVID-19 tends to be milder in children when compared with adults. So, you may wonder, “Why should I vaccinate my child?” Even though children are at a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19, children can:
- Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
- Become very sick from COVID-19
- Have both short and long-term health complications from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others
Your child should not get the vaccine if he or she has ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine. Please check with your child’s pediatrician if you have concerns.
What side effects might my child have?
Your child may have some side effects, which are normal signs that the body is building protection. On the arm where your child received the shot, there may be pain, redness or swelling. Throughout the rest of the body, your child may experience tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever or nausea.
Signs of a severe reaction can include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body or dizziness and weakness.
What do I need to do before my child’s vaccination appointment?
- Talk to your child about what to expect.
- Tell us if your child has any allergies, has had myocarditis or pericarditis, has a fever, has a bleeding disorder or is on a blood thinner, is immunocompromised, has received another COVID-19 vaccine or has ever fainted in association with an injection.
- It is not recommended that you give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever before vaccination.
Is there anything else I should know?
- The vaccine is 1/3 of the adult dose, and smaller needles are used.
- The vaccine is administered as a 2-dose series, 3 weeks apart.
- Your child will be asked to remain seated for 15 – 30 minutes to be observed in case of a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment.
- Your child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- A consent form must be completed for each child at the vaccination clinic. (A separate consent form is not needed for the second vaccine.)
- For children ages 5 - 11, Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine available.
- Discuss with your child’s pediatrician if you are considering getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.
- There is no cost for the vaccine; however, we will seek reimbursement from insurance plans that cover COVID-19 vaccine administration fees. Please bring your child’s insurance card to the appointment.
Where & when are the vaccines being given?
At this time, we are offering vaccines by appointment only for children ages 5 – 11 at the locations and days listed below. Please note that a separate appointment is needed for each child in a family. We anticipate providing vaccine clinics for children through the end of the year.
Center Township ConvenientCare (Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)
Suite 200
79 Wagner Road
Monaca, PA 15061
Robinson Township ConvenientCare (Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)
Suite 200
2201 Park Manor Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Heritage Valley Pediatrics – Chippewa/Beaver Falls (Thursday evenings from 5:00 – 7:00 pm)
2580 Constitution Boulevard
Chippewa, PA 15010
To view the Pfizer Vaccine Information Fact Sheet for children ages 5 - 11, please click below.
