COVID-19 Vaccination for Children

Information for Jurisdictions, Healthcare Providers, Pharmacists, and Community Partners

COVID-19 vaccine equity is when all people who are eligible ─ including children ─ have fair access to COVID-19 vaccination. Use these resources to help children get vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Children

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older if eligible.

COVID-19 vaccines available for children include:

Everyone should continue to follow all current prevention measures recommended by CDC and based on latest COVID-19 Community Level data.

Planning and Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination in Your Community
illustration of checklists

Pediatric COVID-19 Operational Planning Guide

This operational planning guide includes details about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years and the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years. This guide is intended to inform planning for all current COVID-19 vaccine programs and channels for distribution of vaccine for children in these age groups.

An overview of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine products and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine presentations can be found here:

Data and Scientific Research

Supporting Data

Published Research

FDA Updates

Clinical Training and Education for Vaccinators

Printable Job Aids

Videos

  • Administering More Than One Vaccine on the Same Day: Clinical Considerations
  • Intramuscular (IM) Injection: Sites: This training helps providers identify intramuscular (IM) injection sites. A needle is used to inject the vaccine into the muscle. The appropriate site for an intramuscular injection for those under 2 years of age is the vastus lateralis muscle. The deltoid muscle over the triceps area of the upper arm is preferred for persons 3 years of age and older. Safe injection practices minimize risk of injuries, infections, and non-infectious adverse events for both patients and providers. Health care providers are always advised to observe patients for 15 minutes after vaccination.
  • Intramuscular (IM) Injection: Supplies (Children Birth through 18 Years of Age): This training addresses how to select the equipment needed to prepare an intramuscular (IM) injection for children from birth through 18 years of age. A supply of needles of the appropriate lengths should be available. Aseptic technique must be used to protect supplies from microbial contamination. Safe injection practices minimize risk of injuries, infections, and non-infectious adverse events for both patients and providers. Health care providers are always advised to observe patients for 15 minutes after vaccination.
  • Comfort and Restraint Techniques: This training demonstrates comfort and restraint techniques. Determine the best position for the patient based on comfort, age, activity level, administration site, and safety. Instruct the parent on how to help the infant or child stay still so you can administer the vaccine(s) safely.

Online courses

  • You Call the Shots Vaccine Administration e-Learn: The vaccine administration e-Learn is an interactive, online educational program and is a useful introductory course or a great refresher on vaccine administration. Continuing education (C.E.) is available.
  • You Call the Shots Storage and Handling: You Call the Shots is a series of interactive, web-based, immunization training courses that present practice-oriented immunization content in a self-study format. This module provides an overview of vaccine storage and handling requirements. Continuing education (C.E.) is available.
  • Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations – AAP: This online course aims to improve knowledge and competency among pediatricians and non-physicians to have effective COVID-19 vaccine conversations with patients and families, including sharing credible COVID-19 vaccination information and responding to misinformation.