Information for Parents

Why should children receive a COVID-19 vaccine if they are at lower risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19? 

Although children and youth are less likely to get very ill from COVID-19 when compared to adults, if they do get infected they may:

  • develop symptomatic COVID-19, including severe illness requiring hospitalization in some instances, or rarely resulting in death;
  • be infected and not have any symptoms but still be able to spread COVID-19 to others;
  • experience longer-term effects; and
  • be at risk of developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following infection with the COVID-19 virus. MIS-C is a serious but uncommon event that can occur several weeks following infection and requires hospitalization and treatment

The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (10 mcg) paediatric COVID-19 vaccine can be offered to children aged 5 to 11 years to give them protection against COVID-19. The vaccine gives very good protection against symptomatic infection based on the results of the clinical trial in this age group.

What are the side effects?

As with other vaccines, there may be side effects. It is normal and expected to have common reactions after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of these are mild and don’t last, and not everyone gets them. Even if you get side effects after the first dose, you still need to get the second dose for best protection. Common side effects include:

  • Soreness, tenderness or redness around the spot where the vaccine was given
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • General muscle aches or mild flu-like symptoms

Rarely Bell’s Palsy (weakened or inability to move muscles of the face) has been reported after mRNA vaccines. Seek care immediately if your child develops symptoms that could be Bell’s Palsy such as facial weakness or drooping, or other symptoms involving the face.

How do mRNA COVID-19 vaccines work?

Using the metaphor of a recipe or instruction manual is a great way to describe how mRNA works. The vaccine sends an instruction manual to your cells to make a specific protein, the spike protein, that’s on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. Your body then makes antibodies against the spike protein. Once the recipe is used, it’s no longer in your body. The vaccine doesn’t go into the very centre of the cell, what we call the nucleus. It doesn’t join your DNA, your own recipe for your body and yourself.

Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from COVID-19. Learn how mRNA vaccines work like invisible coaches to teach your child’s immune system to recognize the virus:

Can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine and the Influenza Vaccine at the same time?

For those aged 5 years and older receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can be given at any time before, after, or at the same time as non-COVID-19 vaccines.

How will my child receive their COVID-19 vaccine?

Check with your Regional Health Authority for specific information or review the Get the Shot page. Pharmacists and physicians are also offering COVID-19 vaccine. Please remember to contact your local clinic/pharmacy for appointment times.

My child had a COVID-19 infection, do they still need the vaccine?

Yes. People can get the sick from COVID-19 more than once but the vaccine can prevent that. Although having the virus may provide some protection from getting sick again, we do not know how long that protection lasts.

Can my child get COVID-19 from the COVID-19 shot?

No. You can’t get any virus from this vaccine.

I’ve heard that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause myocarditis. What is it?

Recently, very rare cases of myocarditis (heart inflammation) have been reported after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Most cases have been mild and individuals have recovered. Most were young men and myocarditis occurred after the second dose of vaccine. This situation, as well as all potential adverse effects of vaccination, are closely and continuously monitored in Canada and in many other countries. The benefit of COVID-19 vaccination still outweighs the very rare risk of myocarditis. Parents should seek medical attention if their child develops sudden chest pains, shortness of breath, or palpitations following vaccination.  Prevention of COVID-19 is important, as children and youth who get sick with COVID-19 may have serious disease, including myocarditis and other heart problems.

COVID-19 vaccines were developed so quickly. How do I know they are safe?

The reason that the COVID-19 vaccines were made so quickly is because governments, public health authorities, and manufacturers around the world made them a priority. All new vaccines have to go through a very specific and scientifically strict process of testing and review to make sure they are safe and effective. The COVID-19 vaccines went through the very same processes.

I have an 11 year old child, should we wait until they turn 12 years old to get the adult sized dose? Or get the child sized dose now?

It is recommended your child get the vaccine at the time that it is offered according to their age. Children who receive the child-sized dose for their first COVID-19 immunization and who have turned 12 years of age by the time they receive their second COVID-19 immunization will be given the adult dose for their second vaccine. The second vaccine should be booked at least eight weeks and up to four months after the first dose. Their COVID-19 two-dose series will be considered complete.

My child is immunocompromised, should they get the vaccine?

Yes, however, your child may have a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine series.   Immunocompromised children should receive three doses of COVID-19 vaccine to complete their primary series.  If you are unsure about your child’s medical condition, you can discuss with your health care provider.

My child is large for their age, should they get an adult dose?

The current recommendations for child and adult doses are based around age and not weight. Your child should get the dose that corresponds with their age at the time of their immunization.

How can I prepare my child for the COVID-19 vaccine appointment, especially if they are afraid of needles?

It is common for children to experience vaccine fear and anxiety around immunization. There are many resources available to help prepare you and your child for their appointment:

Will my child be vaccinated for COVID-19 without my consent?

No. As with all immunizations, a parent or guardian must provide signed consent before their child can be vaccinated. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form giving permission for their child to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

How does the COVID-19 vaccine approved for children 5 to 11 years of age differ from the vaccine approved for those 12 years of age and older?

The paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® COVID vaccine contains one third of the dose for those 12 years and older. Some of the non-active ingredients in the formulation have changed to increase stability of the vaccine.

When is my child considered to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines?

Being up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines means you have received every dose you are eligible for.  Children ages 5 to 11 years are eligible to receive booster doses.

Visit the Get the Shot page for more information and to book an appointment.

Are there specific concerns for children 5 to 11 years old getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

No. Clinical findings from 3,109 vaccine recipients did not indicate any serious safety concerns and no cases of vaccine-related myocarditis/pericarditis were reported. The commonly reported side effects, such as pain and redness at the injection site, were similar to side effects reported in the adolescent age group. Any uncommon, rare or very rare adverse events that occur at a frequency less often than 1 in 1,000 would not be detected with the trial size.

What is informed consent?

Informed consent means that you agree to receive the vaccine (or agree for your child to receive the vaccine) and understand the risks of receiving the vaccine and the risks if you or your child do not receive the vaccine. You will be provided information on the vaccine and should ask the nurse any questions you may have before your or your child receive the vaccine.

Would getting the COVID-19 vaccine protect me if my child gets COVID-19?

Parents/guardians, household family members and others who come into close contact with a child who is infected with COVID-19 can become infected with the virus themselves. Being up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines reduces your risk of becoming infected with the virus and experiencing severe illness from the virus should you become infected.

Where can I read more information about the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial in children 5 to 11 years old?

More information about the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine clinic trial in children 5 to 11 years old is available in the NACI recommendation statement and the accompanying summary statement.