Amid a spike in teen hospitalizations, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging parents to get their teenagers to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus immediately.
"I am deeply concerned by the numbers of hospitalized adolescents and saddened to see the number of adolescents who required treatment in intensive care units or mechanical ventilation. Much of this suffering can be prevented," said Walensky in the statement.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
Get sick from COVID-19
Spread COVID-19 to others
CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.
People who are fully vaccinated can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. Learn more about what you and your child or teen can do when you have been fully vaccinated.
Children 12 years and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Vaccine information for children
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine for Your Child
Check your local pharmacy's website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available.
Check with your child's healthcare provider about whether they offer COVID-19 vaccination.
Contact your state or local health department for more information.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
Help Protect Your Child and Your Family
Getting a COVID-19 vaccination can help protect your child from getting COVID-19. Early information shows that the vaccines may help keep people from spreading COVID-19 to others. They can also help keep your child from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children 12 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
Possible side effects
Your child may have some side effects, which are normal signs that their body is building protection.
On the arm where you got the shot:
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Throughout the rest of your body:
Tiredness
Headache
Muscle pain
Chills
Fever
Nausea
These side effects may affect your child's ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.
Ask your child's healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child. It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.
Amid a spike in teen hospitalizations, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging parents to get their teenagers to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus immediately.
"I am deeply concerned by the numbers of hospitalized adolescents and saddened to see the number of adolescents who required treatment in intensive care units or mechanical ventilation.
Much of this suffering can be prevented," said Walensky in the statement.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
Get sick from COVID-19
Spread COVID-19 to others
CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.
People who are fully vaccinated can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic. Learn more about what you and your child or teen can do when you have been fully vaccinated.
Children 12 years and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Vaccine information for children
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine for Your Child
Check your local pharmacy's website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available.
Check with your child's healthcare provider about whether they offer COVID-19 vaccination.
Contact your state or local health department for more information.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
Help Protect Your Child and Your Family
Getting a COVID-19 vaccination can help protect your child from getting COVID-19. Early information shows that the vaccines may help keep people from spreading COVID-19 to others. They can also help keep your child from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children 12 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
Possible side effects
Your child may have some side effects, which are normal signs that their body is building protection.
On the arm where you got the shot:
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Throughout the rest of your body:
Tiredness
Headache
Muscle pain
Chills
Fever
Nausea
These side effects may affect your child's ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.
Ask your child's healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child. It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.