Can a child who recently got other vaccinations get the Covid shot?
Many parents are confused about whether they need to time Covid shots with other childhood vaccinations because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently changed its guidance. Previously, the agency said children and adults should wait two weeks before or after a Covid vaccine to receive any other inoculation. The C.D.C. said the initial restriction was a precautionary measure in the early days of vaccine distribution, but now says Covid vaccines and other vaccines can be given without regard to timing.
“Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines,” the C.D.C. says.
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement supporting the change, particularly for children and adolescents who are due for other childhood vaccinations or who have fallen behind the recommended schedule. The C.D.C. notes that if multiple vaccines are administered at a single visit, the injections may be given in different parts of the body.
Are the side effects any different for children than adults?
Fevers were slightly more common in 12- to 15-year-olds compared to adults, but in general, the side effects reported in children have been similar to those seen in older people. The F.D.A. stated that the most commonly reported…
