Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) wants to give parents and families as much information as possible to make the right health decisions for their children. Children are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus just like everyone else.
According to the FDA, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. There were no safety concerns or serious side effects noted in the clinical trials and ongoing study.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are now available for children 6 months and up.
Parental consent is required.
There is no cost for Blue Cross NC members.
Talk to your child's doctor about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
It's important to discuss all of your child's medical care with their doctor. That includes vaccines and boosters for COVID-19. Here are a few questions to ask your pediatrician before scheduling an appointment:
- What are the benefits of my child getting the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters?
- Are the vaccines and boosters safe for my child?
- Are the vaccines and boosters for children effective?
- How old does my child have to be to get the vaccine and booster?
- Will my child have side effects after getting the vaccine and booster?
- Can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster and other vaccines at the same time?
Where can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster?
Once you've talked to your child's doctor and you feel comfortable, you can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine for them. To find a vaccine for children 6 months and older, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.
Find a Location Near MeChildren ages 3 and older can get vaccinated at any location that has the smaller dose available, including pediatrician or doctor’s offices, hospitals, local pharmacies and grocery stores.
Babies and toddlers ages 6 months through 2 years must be vaccinated at a doctor’s office or local health center where the correct dose for their age is available.
More than 800 locations in North Carolina carry vaccines for children. Find a vaccination location for children near you.
Are there any side effects I should be aware of?
Although long-term side effects are unlikely, there are some side effects your child could experience after the COVID-19 vaccine or booster. These are similar to what most adults experience and usually go away after a few days.
Common side effects:
- Pain, redness or swelling in the child's arm or vaccination site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
Talk to your child's doctor if you need help managing side effects or if they seem to get worse. The risks of serious side effects from the vaccine are far less than the risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
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