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Kid COVID vaccine

CDC Approves Boosters for Kids Ages 5-11

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The Louisiana Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech booster for kids ages 5-11 five months after receiving their primary Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine series.

Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children will begin to administer the booster vaccine for children ages 5-11.

Although COVID-19 has been shown to be less severe in children than in adults, it is recommended that all eligible people receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as COVID-19 boosters. Vaccines have been proven effective in reducing the side effects of COVID-19, as well as drastically reducing hospitalizations and even death of people who contract COVID-19.

What are the side effects?

Side effects of the booster are relatively mild and similar to those experienced by adults and adolescents. These side effects include: 

  • Arm soreness at the injection site
  • Low-grade fever
  • Fatigue

Is the COVID-19 booster safe for children?

Any type of medical treatment administered to young children can make parents nervous, even common treatments like receiving a vaccine recommended by doctors. Some children might also have a fear of needles, which can make receiving a vaccination even more challenging.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and booster is safe and well-tolerated by children ages 5-11, so parents who are anxious about their young children going off to summer camp or returning to school in the fall can find comfort in knowing their children will be as protected as they can be.

Who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster?

Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is available to people ages 5 and up. This includes the initial COVID-19 vaccine series, as well as boosters. For children ages 5-17, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and booster are available. For people ages 18 and up, both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are available for initial vaccine series and boosters. Immunocompromised patients are also eligible to receive both the initial vaccine series and boosters. 

If you have specific questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, please contact your pediatrician or primary care physician. 

How can I schedule a booster for my child?

To schedule a vaccine for your child, or to attend one of our vaccination events, please call 844-888-2772 or visit www.ochsner.org/vaccineinfo. You may also schedule your child’s vaccine through MyOchsner.

Learn more about COVID-19 and children here.

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