Why children and teens should get vaccinated against COVID-19
submitted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
What You Need to Know
• COVID-19 can make children and teens of any age very sick and can sometimes require treatment in a hospital. Some children and teens have even died from COVID-19.
• The benefit of COVID-19 vaccines, like other vaccines, is that those vaccinated get protection without risking the potentially serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.
• Help protect children from severe disease, hospitalization, or death by getting them vaccinated against COVID-19.
Help Protect Your Child
COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help protect everyone 6 months and older from COVID-19 and its complications.
Getting children and teens vaccinated against COVID-19 can help keep them from getting really sick if they do get COVID-19. Vaccinating children can also help relieve the strain on families by providing greater confidence in children participating in childcare, school, and other activities.
Impact of COVID-19 in Children and Teens
Just like adults, children and teens of all ages can:
• Get very sick from COVID-19
• Have both short-term and long-term health problems
• Spread COVID-19 to others
There is no way to tell in advance how children or teens will be affected by COVID-19. Those with underlying medical conditions or who have a weakened immune system are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Some examples of conditions that can make children more likely to get severe COVID-19 include:
• Asthma or chronic lung disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sickle cell disease
However, those without underlying medical conditions can also experience severe illness and be hospitalized. In fact, approximately 1 in 3 children younger than 18 years old hospitalized with COVID-19 have no underlying conditions.
Children and Teens Can Experience Ongoing Health Problems after COVID-19
After getting COVID-19, children and teens can also experience a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems. These include physical and mental health complications that may occur four or more weeks after initial infection. These complications can appear after mild or severe COVID-19.
Symptoms that children and teens may experience after COVID-19 are like those seen in adults and include:
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headache
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Trouble concentrating
Post-COVID-19 symptoms can affect quality of life, including:
• Limitations in physical activity
• Feeling distressed about symptoms
• Mental health challenges
• Decreased school or daycare attendance
• Missed opportunities for participation in sports, playdates, or other activities
COVID-19 vaccinations are available for all ages by appointment at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule an appointment for anyone 6 months of age and older.
