What parents need to know about COVID-19 vaccines for teens
Our Plano pediatricians want parents to know there are approved COVID-19 vaccines for eligible teens. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the Pfizer vaccine for teens who are 16 and older. Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine available for patients under age 18. However, drug manufacturers have started trials for children 12 and up, so more vaccines should be available in the future. Parents can rest assured that the Pfizer vaccine, which is administered in two doses, is safe and 95% effective.
Reasons for recommending COVID-19 vaccines for eligible teens
The American Academy of Pediatrics believes in the review process that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used to approve the Pfizer vaccine for eligible teens. Additionally, as more teenagers receive the vaccine, schools, extracurricular activities and the community will become safer.
The Pfizer vaccine has a few mild side effects that teens may notice one or two days after receiving a shot, but these mild symptoms should go away in a few days.
- Pain, redness and/or swelling at the injection site
- Flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, headaches and chills
If your child experiences any of these side effects, you can provide care at home to help them feel better until the symptoms pass.
Our Plano pediatricians recommend that parents also get vaccinated
Even though COVID-19 vaccines are not available for children under age 16, when parents and other adults get their shots, it also helps keep kids safe.
- The 95% effectiveness rate of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines helps protect most vaccinated adults from the virus. When adults stay healthy, it helps slow the spread of the virus. This also helps protect children under age 16.
- The more people who receive the vaccination, the more likely it is that the US population will develop herd immunity. Communities achieve this immunity when most people get vaccinated or contract the virus. Herd immunity helps protect those who cannot get the vaccination, or children in this case.
Our Plano pediatricians are always here to advise parents and answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines. For more information about coronavirus protection and prevention, contact us.
