Everything You Need to Know About New COVID-19 Vaccines for Your Kids

  • Fall 2021
Child receiving a vaccine

As parents, we have the freedom to decide how to best protect our children. When it comes to the new COVID-19 Delta variant, one of the best methods we can choose to protect our kids 12+ years of age is the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Delta variant is highly contagious, especially among unvaccinated people. It could play a large role in how schools handle education this next year, especially given how easily children share germs with one another. The best bet to ensure a normal classroom experience for your child is having them vaccinated.

Our current vaccines, including the Pfizer vaccine which is approved for kids ages 12+, do provide immune protection against the Delta variant. While some vaccinated children (and adults) may still get COVID, those who are vaccinated make up less than 1% of new cases. Studies also indicate symptoms are less severe in vaccinated people compared to people who are unvaccinated.

If your child isn’t old enough to receive the vaccine yet, keep practicing the healthy habits we learned throughout the pandemic, including mask wearing, frequent hand washing, and social distancing. Avoid high-risk situations for your child when possible and pay attention to the news. Vaccine approval for new age groups could be coming this fall. When it does, get your child vaccinated ASAP.

Find a local vaccine for your kids or yourself at brookingshealth.org/Vaccine. Want to learn more specifically about the COVID-19 vaccines for kids? Listen to Pediatrician Dr. Matt Bien.