COVID-19 Vaccine for kids: What you need to know
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is now available to children ages 5 and older at Kaniksu Community Health.
Here's what you need to know about the safety, effectiveness, possible side effects, and the benefits of getting vaccinated:

Children generally don't experience severe illness with COVID-19, why do they need the vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccine can prevent your child from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
If your child gets COVID-19, the vaccine could prevent them from becoming severely ill or experience short-term or long-term complications.
Also, children with health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes asthma, might be at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19.
What COVID-19 vaccines are approved for kids?
Covid-19 vaccines are available to children:
Can the COVID-19 vaccine give a child COVID-19?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine being developed in the U.S. don't use the live virus that causes COVID-19.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility or menstruation?
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine causes fertility problems.
A small study has shown that some women experience temporary menstrual changes after getting COVID-19 - it's not clear if getting COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccine is the reason for these changes. Further research is needed.
Keep in mind - many things affect menstrual cycles, such as, stress, sleep problems and changes in diet or exercise.
Can COVID-19 affect the heart?
There have ben cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in males ages 12-17.
Theses reports are rare.
One study suggests that the risk of myocarditis in the week after being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is about 54 cases per million doses given to males ages 12-17.
Of the cases reported, the symptoms often occurred several days after receiving the second dose of COVID-19.
Most of the people who received care, quickly felt better after receiving medicine and resting.
Symptoms to watch for include:
*** Pericarditis is the inflammation of the outside lining of the heart
Are there any children who shouldn't get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine is not yet available to children younger than 5, however, clinical trials are in progress.
The vaccine shouldn't be administered to a child with known history of severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccines ingredients - please talk to your pediatrician about the COVID-19 ingredients. If this is the case, your child might be able to get another COVID-19 vaccine in the future with different ingredients.
What are the side-effects of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids?
Most children experience no side effects, however some children do. Children with reported experienced side-effects after receiving the second dose.
The most commonly reported side effects include:
It isn't recommended to give your child over-the-counter pain before the vaccine is administered to prevent side-effects. It's OK to give this medication AFTER your child gets the COVID-19 vaccine.
Are there any long-term effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines?
Because COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials started in summer of 2020, it is not clear if the vaccines have long-term effects. However, vaccines rarely cause long-term effects.
What is the difference in the ingredients or dosing for the COVID-19 vaccine for kids and adults?
Where can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?
At any Kaniksu Community Health clinic starting November 10, 2021 or pharmacy.
How soon should my child get the COVID-19 vaccine before or after another vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines can be given on the same day.
REFERENCE:
Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids
COVID-19 vaccine can prevent your child from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
If your child gets COVID-19, the vaccine could prevent them from becoming severely ill or experience short-term or long-term complications.
Also, children with health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes asthma, might be at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19.
What COVID-19 vaccines are approved for kids?
Covid-19 vaccines are available to children:
- Ages 5-11
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
- This vaccine is two injections, given three weeks apart.
- It contains a lower dose than the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine used for children 12 and older.
- Research shows this vaccine is about 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5-11.
- Ages 12-15
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
- This vaccine is two injections, given three weeks apart. *** The second dose can be given up to 6 weeks after the first dose, if needed.
- It contains the same dose as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine used for people 16 and older.
- Research shows this vaccine is 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children ages 12-15.
- Ages 16 and older
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, now called Comirnaty.
- This vaccine is two injections, given three weeks apart. *** The second dose can be given up to 6 weeks after the first dose, if needed.
- Research shows this vaccine is about 91% effective in preventing severe illness with COVID-19 in people ager 16 or older.
- Early research also suggests that the vaccine is 96% effective at preventing severe disease of COVID-19 caused by the delta variant, the most common COVID-19 variant in the U.S. as of today.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine give a child COVID-19?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine being developed in the U.S. don't use the live virus that causes COVID-19.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility or menstruation?
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine causes fertility problems.
A small study has shown that some women experience temporary menstrual changes after getting COVID-19 - it's not clear if getting COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccine is the reason for these changes. Further research is needed.
Keep in mind - many things affect menstrual cycles, such as, stress, sleep problems and changes in diet or exercise.
Can COVID-19 affect the heart?
There have ben cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in males ages 12-17.
Theses reports are rare.
One study suggests that the risk of myocarditis in the week after being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is about 54 cases per million doses given to males ages 12-17.
Of the cases reported, the symptoms often occurred several days after receiving the second dose of COVID-19.
Most of the people who received care, quickly felt better after receiving medicine and resting.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart.
*** Pericarditis is the inflammation of the outside lining of the heart
Are there any children who shouldn't get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine is not yet available to children younger than 5, however, clinical trials are in progress.
The vaccine shouldn't be administered to a child with known history of severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccines ingredients - please talk to your pediatrician about the COVID-19 ingredients. If this is the case, your child might be able to get another COVID-19 vaccine in the future with different ingredients.
What are the side-effects of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids?
Most children experience no side effects, however some children do. Children with reported experienced side-effects after receiving the second dose.
The most commonly reported side effects include:
- Pain at injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Nausea
- Decreased appetite
It isn't recommended to give your child over-the-counter pain before the vaccine is administered to prevent side-effects. It's OK to give this medication AFTER your child gets the COVID-19 vaccine.
Are there any long-term effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines?
Because COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials started in summer of 2020, it is not clear if the vaccines have long-term effects. However, vaccines rarely cause long-term effects.
What is the difference in the ingredients or dosing for the COVID-19 vaccine for kids and adults?
- Ages 5-11
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 contains a lower dose (10 micrograms) than the vaccine used for older children and adults (30 micrograms).
- Also, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 contain a different buffer than the vaccine used for older children and adults. This is used in other FDA-approved vaccines, which keeps the vaccine stable in refrigerated temperatures for longer.
- Ages 12-15 and 16 and older
- The ingredients and dosing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are the same for children 12-15 and people 16 and older.
Where can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?
At any Kaniksu Community Health clinic starting November 10, 2021 or pharmacy.
How soon should my child get the COVID-19 vaccine before or after another vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines can be given on the same day.
REFERENCE:
Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids
The COVID-19 vaccination will protect most people from getting sick with COVID-19.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your child's doctor and they will help you weigh the risks and benefits of the vaccine.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your child's doctor and they will help you weigh the risks and benefits of the vaccine.
We are now offering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone5 years and older!
Please call your local KCH clinic to schedule an appointment for a vaccine.
(208) 265-6252 Ponderay
(208) 267-1718 Bonners Ferry
(208) 265-2242 Sandpoint Pediatrics
(208) 448-2321 Priest River
Please Note:
Please call your local KCH clinic to schedule an appointment for a vaccine.
(208) 265-6252 Ponderay
(208) 267-1718 Bonners Ferry
(208) 265-2242 Sandpoint Pediatrics
(208) 448-2321 Priest River
Please Note:
- A photo ID & insurance card will be required at the time of vaccination.
- We will not administer 2nd dose vaccines to those who received their 1st dose at an alternate location.
- For example: If you received your 1st dose at Panhandle Health District, PLEASE return to PHD for your 2nd dose.
- Please do not request an appointment if you:
- Have a COVID-19 vaccine scheduled elsewhere
- Have already received a COVID-19 vaccine
- Are currently sick with COVID-19, or recently experienced a high risk exposure to COVID-19