NEWS BRIEFPF
IZE
R/A
P(^2) TIME FOR KIDS November 12, 2021
COVER: JAN WOITAS—PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES NEWS STORIES MAY INCLUDE REPORTING FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
WHAT other questions might read-
ers have about the COVID-19 vac-
cine? What are reliable sources?
On November 2, the United States
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommended
the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
for children ages 5 to 11. This
vaccine helps protect against
COVID-19. Here’s what you need
to know.
How does the vaccine work?
The vaccine works to boost the
body’s immunity to COVID-19.
It uses something called mRNA
technology. The m is for messenger.
The vaccine teaches cells in your
body how to attack the virus that
causes COVID-.
Will children get the same
dose that adults and people
ages 12 to 17 get?
No. The dose for kids ages 5 to 11
is smaller. But to be fully vacci-
nated, anyone who gets the Pfizer-
BioNTech vaccine needs two doses,
given three weeks apart.
Are the vaccine side effects
for kids ages 5 to 11 similar
TFK EXPLAINS:
COVID VACCINE FOR KIDS
are at greater risk for severe ill-
ness. Plus, the highly contagious
Delta variant of the virus is send-
ing more children to the hospital
than early forms of the virus did.
Why did it take so long for
kids ages 5 to 11 to be able
to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-
tration (FDA) reviewed the scien-
tific data to make sure the vaccine
was safe and effective for kids in
this age group. Once the FDA gave
its authorization for emergency use,
on October 29, the CDC had to
review the FDA decision.
Will vaccinating kids help
control the pandemic?
Yes. There are 28 million kids in the
U.S. ages 5 to 11. The government
says it has enough vaccine for
everyone in this age group. This will
help stop the spread of the disease.to those that other age
groups might experience?
So far, yes. Some people who get
the vaccine might experience fever,
chills, and headache. They might
also feel tired and have muscle
pain. These might be signs that
your immune system is working.
They could last one to three days
after the shot. In very rare cases,
people get more-serious side effects
that involve the heart. Some peo-
ple experience no side effects.
Do I need to wear a mask if
I’m fully vaccinated?
The CDC recommends that people
who are vaccinated wear a mask
indoors in places where COVID-
is spreading at a high rate. At press
time, that was the case in 73% of
the U.S. The CDC also says people
should follow masking rules set by
state and local governments.
Don’t children have a lower
risk of getting a serious case
of COVID-19 than adults?
Yes. But unvaccinated children can
still spread the virus to people whoKID-SIZE A dose of the COVID vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is smaller than a dose for older people.