COVID-19 VACCINES & CHILDREN 

COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous clinical testing. and have been found to be safe and effective for those aged 5 and up at preventing severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death. 

• The science and data are speaking loud and clear. Vaccines are still doing a good job protecting against the worst outcomes, even with the highly contagious Omicron variant.
• Children can still experience serious complications from COVID-19. By getting our eligible youth vaccinated, we are doing our part to keep them and our schools safe.
• Until higher vaccination coverage is achieved, additional public health measures are needed. 

TOP MESSAGES 

• Californians can take immediate steps to help protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19 and fast spreading variants. Get vaccinated and, if eligible, get a booster. Help your family and friends find a vaccine near them by going to Myturn.ca.gov or calling 833-422-4255.
• Vaccines are how we get through this pandemic, and that includes boosters. Californians should get themselves and their children vaccinated or boosted to maximize their protection against COVID-19 and its variants. The FDA has fully approved the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, saying both meet the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness and quality. 
• The more vaccinations and boosters are administered, the faster we move to whole-family protection. Pfizer Pediatric is available for ages 5-11. Individuals 12 and older are eligible for boosters. Those 12 and older who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 5 months ago, or 18 and older who received the second dose of the Moderna vaccine at least five months ago or the J&J vaccine two months ago, can get their booster dose.
• Boosters increase a person’s immunity almost immediately. Unlike the initial vaccine series which provided protection two weeks from vaccination, booster protection gives immunity a boost right away. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their child’s health care provider to schedule their booster appointment. 
• State health officials updated recommended isolation and quarantine timeframes to align with the CDC. California public health officials took additional steps to increase protection by recommending individuals get tested to exit isolation and quarantine and encouraging Californians to upgrade their masks.  
• The risks of hospitalization and death remain high for unvaccinated individuals, so the most important thing we need to continue to do is get vaccinated and get boosted. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. Covid-19 associated hospitalizations in unvaccinated children are 11x higher than fully vaccinated children. About 1 in 3 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US were admitted to the ICU – on par with the ICU admittance rate among adults. 
• State public health officials continue to monitor COVID-19 data to protect the health and well-being of all Californians, keep schools safe for in-person instruction, and allow California’s economy to remain open and thrive. Keeping schools open for in-person learning promotes the mental, social-emotional and academic well-being of students and families. 
• Schedule a vaccination or booster appointment today at Myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255.

• All Californians, regardless of vaccination status, can follow the following safety basics to protect ourselves and each other: 
  • Get vaccinated and boosted as soon as eligible. Go to MyTurn.ca.gov to check schedule your appointment today.

• Stay home if you are sick and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Inform your community. If you test positive or have symptoms, inform any close contacts you may have exposed. 

• Go to www.COVID19.ca.gov for more information on COVID-19 and the latest public health guidelines. 

• Vaccination remains the safest way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and reduce its impact on yourself, your family, and our communities. That means keeping you and the ones around you out of the hospital or worse.
• The FDA has fully approved both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, saying both meet the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness and quality. 
• Pfizer’s vaccine for the prevention of severe COVID-19 disease in those aged 16 and older received full approval in August 2021.
• Moderna’s vaccine for the prevention of severe COVID-19 disease in those aged 18 and older received full approval in January 2022. 
• Pfizer’s vaccine has FDA’s emergency use authorization to prevent severe