If the vaccine works for other people, why do kids need it?

Most cases of COVID-19 in children are not severe, but on occasion, COVID-19 can cause serious infections that require hospitalization. In rare instances, it can be life-threatening. 

Children can also spread it to others if they get infected. That’s particularly a worry when they are around people in the higher risk groups, including other family members like grandparents, or caregivers who may have medical conditions. Children can also have long-term effects from the virus, known as long-COVID. 

The more viruses spread, the more chance they have to mutate into more dangerous strains. As a community, the more people that are vaccinated, the safer we will all be and the less chance that new variants of the virus will emerge.

Why do kids need a vaccine with 90% effectiveness for a virus they have a 99% of surviving?

New COVID-19 variants are more dangerous and infectious to children than the original strains. The percentage of children hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased 240% in the U.S. in the last few months.

While COVID-19 may often be milder in children than adults, children can still get very sick and spread it to friends and family, some who are immune-compromised or vulnerable in other ways. Vaccination is the best way to keep kids healthy and safe.

Children who are infected with COVID-19 can develop “Long COVID-19” or persistent symptoms that often include brain fog, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath. 

Children who get infected with COVID-19 are at greater risk for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). MIS-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

Show All Answers

1. What COVID-19 Vaccines are Available?
2. What ages are eligible to be vaccinated?
3. How do we know COVID-19 vaccines are safe for kids?
4. If the vaccine works for other people, why do kids need it?
5. I have already had COVID-19. Do I still need to get vaccinated?
6. Who should get a COVID-19 booster shot?
7. I am immunocompromised. Do I need an additional shot?
8. How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
9. Will the vaccines cause side effects?
10. How were the COVID-19 vaccines produced so quickly?
11. Can I get COVID-19 from these vaccines?
12. Can receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cause you to be magnetic?
13. Do COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips?
14. Can the COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
15. Is it safe for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?
16. Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?
17. What can you do once you are fully vaccinated?
18. I missed my 2nd shot of the mRNA vaccine. What should I do?
19. I lost my vaccine card. How can I get a new one?
20. How do I host a COVID-19 vaccine event?
21. What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
22. If I test positive for COVID-19, what should I do?
23. If I was exposed to someone with COVID-19, what should I do?
24. When can I leave isolation if I had COVID-19 symptoms?
25. One or more health conditions increase the risk of getting very sick with COVID-19. What are those conditions?