We are vaccinating children ages 5 and up. Call 804-828-2467 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit vaccines.gov to find a location offering the vaccine.

Our pediatricians support the science and recommendations from the FDA, CDC and AAP. We understand all children and families are different. If you have questions about your child’s medical conditions and getting the vaccine, we recommend that you speak with your health care provider for medical guidance. Vaccination is a personal decision, but also one we believe will help put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s a good idea to talk with your child about the vaccine so they understand why and when they are receiving it. We know kids often do best when they’re prepared.

Our pediatricians offer several tips for making the vaccination process less stressful for kids. Make sure they’ve had plenty to eat and drink before getting their vaccine too!

If your child has COVID-19, they can get the vaccine after they are feeling better and meet the criteria to stop isolation. Read the CDC’s quarantine guidelines here. If your child had COVID-19 and had monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma treatments, they should wait 90 days to get the vaccine. If you have questions, speak with your child’s doctor about when your child should receive the vaccine.

If your child has cold, flu or COVID-related symptoms we ask that you wait until they are feeling better. This is for their safety and the safety of our team members and other patients/visitors.

The side effects seen in the clinical trials for kids ages 5-11 were similar to those seen in the 12-15 age group – sore arm, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, chills and/or fever lasting only a day or two. Mild responses like these are a sign that the body is responding to the vaccine and building protection, which is exactly what we want it to do.

Full vaccination provides the best protection against severe illness, including from the Delta variant. It’s also critical in helping to stop the spread of the virus and prevent new variants from emerging. Delta has been the most contagious yet and we need to do everything in our power to keep the virus from mutating to new, even more dangerous variants.

Some people still develop illness although they’ve been fully vaccinated, but it is generally milder and significantly less dangerous than if they were not vaccinated.

While the vaccine is the best way to prevent severe infection, the CDC still recommends wearing masks in public settings when indoors as an extra layer of protection. Keep up with the latest CDC guidelines for mask-wearing.

No. Each dose is 10 micrograms, which is smaller than the 30-microgram doses given to people 12 and older. This smaller dose was determined to provide the best balance between safety and immunogenicity – or ability to cause a protective immune response – in children in this age group. During the clinical trials, kids’ immune responses to these doses were comparable to the responses seen in people ages 12 and older with the larger doses.

The CDC says it’s safe to get the COVID vaccine at the same time as other immunizations, including the flu shot. Data from other vaccines show that the way our bodies develop protection is similar whether vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines. Side effects are similar too.

If you’d prefer to stagger your child’s COVID and other vaccines, that’s okay! The most important thing is that they get them in a timely manner.

There is no peer-reviewed evidence that the COVID vaccine – or any vaccine – affects fertility. The COVID vaccine triggers a response in the immune system but doesn’t interact with the body’s DNA or have any hormonal properties that would cause it to impact fertility.

While there have been reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) following COVID vaccinations in the older age groups, it is a very rare complication with typically mild symptoms that resolve quickly. It’s also important to note that there were no instances of myocarditis in kids ages 5-11 during the clinical trials.

Myocarditis is much more common and severe with COVID-19 illness than with the vaccine.

The CDC currently recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive a booster. If you believe your child is in this category, talk with their pediatrician or primary care provider to find out if it the booster is appropriate for them.

Children’s immune systems are different from adults, and their immune systems can even vary at different ages, so the vaccines need to be tested on specific age groups separately. EUAs are granted for specific age groups only once the vaccines have proved to be safe and effective for them.

Yes! Please let us know when you schedule your child’s appointment.

We don’t yet know with certainty how long immunity will last. It’s possible that over time more doses will be needed to provide continued protection – similar to many vaccines we’ve been getting routinely for years.

Currently, two parents and any personal health care providers (i.e. in-home nursing) can accompany patients to get their vaccine. No siblings may do so at this time.

Yes, the COVID vaccine is provided to everyone at NO COST!

The vaccine will either be covered by insurance or for uninsured patients, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund, and there will be no out of pocket cost to anyone receiving the vaccine.

Studies continue on kids ages 6 months to 5 years, with doses of 3 micrograms for each injection in this age group. We don’t know exactly when data will be submitted to the FDA for approval but will be keeping a close eye on it.