How does my child get vaccinated?
Children 5 years and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
- Check with your pediatrician to see if they offer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients
- Children can also be vaccinated by vaccine providers across the state who offer the vaccine to kids
Find a Vaccine Provider Near You
Vaccine providers across the state are vaccinating children 5 and older. Find a location in your area:
Guidance for children with special needs
Find support and guidance for vaccinating youth with special needs or disabilities
Important Kids' Vaccine Information
Which vaccine can my child get?
Children ages 5-11 will be vaccinated with a children’s dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech. Children ages 12 and older are vaccinated with the normal dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Consult your pediatrician if you are unsure which vaccine dose is best for your child.
Is this a new vaccine? Has it been tested?
The vaccine that is offered to children 5-11 is a smaller dose of the same Pfizer vaccine that has been used safely since December. Millions of adults have received this COVID vaccine, and thousands of children also received this vaccine as part of the clinical trials. It is safe.
Is it safe?
Yes, clinical trials have proven that the vaccine is safe in children as young as 5 years old. Children ages 5-11 had mild and temporary side effects like those experienced by people ages 12 and older. Getting COVID presents significant risks to children and families; getting the vaccine helps you stay safe.
Is it effective?
Clinical trials have proven that the vaccine is over 90% effective against illness from COVID-19 in children as young as 5 years old. Kids ages 5-11 develop similar virus-fighting antibody levels as teens and young adults.
Should I consider vaccinating my child?
Yes, the vaccine helps prevent children from getting COVID-19. Although children often get less sick than adults, many children have been hospitalized from COVID or have long-term effects from “long COVID.” The vaccine also helps schools stay open and prevents kids from spreading the virus to others, including older family members.
What if my pediatrician doesn’t offer the vaccine?
Don’t worry! There are hundreds of locations across the State with clinicians who are trained and ready to provide a COVID vaccine to children. Many schools will be offering vaccines through school-based health centers or on-site clinics. Type your zip code into the search and find a location that works for you.
“For months, pediatric practices have been offering vaccines to children 12 and older, and it has been such a source of relief and safety for these kids and their families. I am delighted that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for a much broader cohort of our children. Although kids often have milder cases of COVID-19 than adults, they still do get sick – and some children are currently battling long COVID as well. Getting this vaccine is the right thing to do to keep our kids and families safe.”
Dr. Jody Terranova, Pediatrician and Member of the Executive Board of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Still Uncertain?
Many parents and caretakers may have questions about vaccine safety. Get the facts here.
Common Vaccine Questions
Get answers to all your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids and what to expect.