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The COVID-19 Vaccine and Kids

COVID-19 Resource Center

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Phoenix Children's is committed to providing hope, healing and the best health care to children and families. We strongly recommend children receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as it is available to them, as it is the best defense against serious illness.

Many people have questions about the vaccine. Click here to learn more about how the vaccine works, why it is safe, and what to expect after your child receives the vaccine.

We encourage you to check this page often as we are working to keep it up to date for parents in our community.

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Where can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus

We offer the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots at our Thomas Campus for children who are Phoenix Children’s patients:

  • Ages 6 months through 4 years old — Moderna’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine is available. Each dose is given 4-8 weeks apart. 
  • Ages 5 and older — Pfizer’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine is available. Each dose is given at least 21 days apart. Boosters are available for children 5 and up.

How to make a vaccine appointment at the Thomas Campus:

If your child is a patient at any Phoenix Children’s clinic, please contact your clinic for more information on scheduling a vaccine appointment. Please note that all COVID-19 vaccines are administered in the Division of Primary, Complex Care and Adolescent Medicine, located on the second floor of the Ambulatory building.

Parents can also visit https://appointments.phoenixchildrens.com/ to schedule their own vaccine appointment. 

Families can park in the Cambridge Garage for their vaccine appointments:

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Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics

Existing patients of any Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics office who are ages 6 months through 11 years can make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine:

  • Ages 6 months through 4 years will receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in a three-dose series. The first and second doses are separated by 3 to 8 weeks, and the second and third doses are separated by at least 8 weeks.
  • Ages 5 years through 11 years will receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in a two-doses series. The first and second dose are separated by three weeks. Boosters are available for ages 5-11.

How to make an appointment at a Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics location:

Please contact your Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics office if you have any questions or to make a vaccine appointment.

Please note your vaccine appointment may be made at another Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics location, based on appointment availability.

Other Locations in the Community

Maricopa County also offers a list of COVID-19 vaccine locations. Many accept walk-ins. More information on these locations is available at: Maricopa.gov/5659/COVID-19-Vaccine-Locations.

In addition, many pharmacies offer the vaccine as well.

Hear From Other Parents

“You never expect you will be the parent of a medically fragile child, and then you are, and suddenly you are regularly faced with making critical decisions for their health and safety. Now more than ever, I am facing these decisions and see the impact firsthand on families and people I care about. I am grateful that my family has chosen to be vaccinated and has had the opportunity, not only to protect our youngest daughter with complex needs, but to protect each other. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine not only protects you, it protects those you love and the individuals you interact with. While much of this pandemic has been uncertain, one thing I can be certain about is that my family has made the right decision in getting the COVID-19 vaccine.”

– Brittany M., mother of three

“My beautiful, amazing, animated, intelligent, caring, 6-year-old daughter Aria was diagnosed with lifelong epilepsy at age 3. Her main seizure trigger is illness, so when the COVID-19 pandemic hit our world, it was our worst nightmare. Though I understand it is unrealistic for a child to never get sick, we do our best to continually protect Aria from illnesses. When Aria contracted COVID-19, it put her into a medical emergency with continuous seizing. We spent weeks at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Through my own experience, I have seen COVID-19 affect more than just the high risk, medically fragile, and immunocompromised. A great way to show care and compassion to others is to get vaccinated. As Aria, my beautiful daughter, has insightfully said when asked what her message would be to parents and children who are sick with COVID or scared to get a vaccine, “Be brave!”

– Sarah S., mother of Phoenix Children’s patient Aria

Following are some frequently asked questions and answers about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Q: What COVID-19 vaccine is available for children?

A: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months and older. Pfizer's vaccine has full FDA approval for those age 16 and older. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has full FDA approval for those 18 and older. The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is available under EUA for individuals 18 years and older for whom other FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to individuals 18 years and older who elect to receive the Johnson and Johnson vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Q: Children with COVID-19 generally do not get as sick as adults. Why is it important for children to get vaccinated?

A: While most children experience mild symptoms and make a full recovery, some children become very sick with COVID-19. This is especially true of children with complex and chronic health conditions. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that hospitalizations for children with COVID-19 are increasing nationwide – including healthy children with no pre-existing conditions.

Q: Can my child get COVID-19 from getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

A: The vaccine does not use the live virus that causes COVID-19, so no one will contract COVID-19 as a result of getting the vaccine.

Answers to more commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and children can be found here.

 

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