Yes. In mid-June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years, as well as to Moderna’s vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all recommended that children 6 months and older be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.
Everyone 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster when they’re eligible.
Children 6 months and older can get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Vaccine timing and number of doses for young children varies. To learn more about vaccination, read 6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs.
You can also find out which doses your child is ready for (including booster, if applicable) by using CDC’s booster tool.
The best place to get your child vaccinated is at their regular pediatrician’s office.
Children 3 years and older can get vaccines at many pharmacies. Children 6 months and older can also get vaccinated at health centers. No matter where you choose to go, call before you go to make sure they have vaccines.
Check phila.gov/vaccine and vaccines.gov for a location near you.
For more information, read our blog post: COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children under five.
Regarding consent: In Philadelphia, children ages 11-17 can consent for their own COVID-19 vaccination, subject to the vaccine provider’s determination that they can provide informed consent. This aligns with a longstanding City policy that allows children ages 11 and above to consent for vaccines, without approval or consent of a parent or guardian. On May 14, 2022, the Board of Health ruled that this also applies to a vaccine with an FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
Children under the age of 11 must have a parent or guardian present to be vaccinated. Accepted documentation to confirm a child’s age includes one of the following:
- Access school or health care portals via phone.
- Copy of school or sports health forms.
- Insurance cards.
- Birth certificates or photos of their birth certificate.
- Any other documents with the child’s name and date of birth.
Please note: Not all sites will vaccinate people under the age of 16. Make sure to call ahead to confirm a vaccination site has pediatric vaccines and will vaccinate your child.
For more information, see: