Why Children and Teens Should Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Just like adults, children and teens can get very sick from COVID-19. Children may also experience both short- and long-term health problems, and spread COVID-19 to others, including at home and school.

There is no way to tell in advance how children or teens will be affected by COVID-19. However, those with underlying medical conditions or who have a weakened immune system are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Those without underlying medical conditions can also experience severe illness. In fact, almost half of children younger than 18 years old hospitalized with COVID-19 have no underlying conditions.

Children and teens who have already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated. Emerging evidence indicates that people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after having been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. So even if a child has had COVID-19, they should still get vaccinated. Read the science about immunity from COVID-19 infection and vaccination.