Announcing COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Children and Teens
A vaccination is a safe, reliable way to protect children and teens from becoming ill with COVID-19
Children and Teens COVID Vaccination Clinics (for ages 6 months - 17 years)
Held at the Moultrie County Health Department, 202 S. Main, Sullivan, IL
Call (217) 728-4114 and make an appointment for your child or teen today!
Why should children six months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Currently, the circulating variants of the Covid-19 virus are relatively mild and typically result in symptoms similar to a prolonged summer cold. However, like all viruses, Covid-19 affects all people differently.
The Covid-19 virus can make those who are immune-compromised, including the elderly and some children, very ill for prolonged periods. Reducing the risk of infection is most important for these individuals because they are also at greater risk for lingering or long-term health problems.
As mentioned in a previous article, there is currently no vaccine that is 100% effective at completely preventing an illness. However, vaccinating children and teens against COVID-19 (especially those with pre-existing conditions such as chronic respiratory issues, diabetes, etc.) can reduce the likelihood of serious illness and complications from Covid-19 virus infection.
A COVID-19 vaccination is the safest, most reliable way to build immunities against the COVID-19 virus.
What do you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine safety for children and teenagers?
- To date, millions of children and teens ages five through 17 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Through continued safety monitoring, the COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be safe for children and teens.
- The known risks and possible severe complications of COVID-19 illness are far greater than the potential risk of having a reaction to the vaccine.
- Everyone ages six months and older should stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. This includes boosters when appropriate for individuals five years and older.
Are children and teens at risk of getting sick from COVID-19?
The simple answer is yes. There is no way to tell in advance how children will be affected by COVID-19. Although children with underlying medical conditions are more likely to experience a more severe COVID-19 infection, healthy children without underlying conditions can also experience severe illness.
Like adults, children and teens infected with COVID-19 can experience a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing physical and mental health problems. These post-Covid conditions can last for weeks or even months, negatively affecting a child’s quality of life.
Should children and teens who have previously been infected with COVID-19 get vaccinated?
Once a person has had Covid-19, they have a “natural immunity” to the illness for up to 90 days. However, the immunity will begin to wane across that time, making the person susceptible to re-infection.
Evidence indicates that children and teens previously infected with COVID-19 can strengthen their protection further through vaccination. So, if your child or teen has had COVID-19, they should still get vaccinated.
It is important to note that all individuals infected with Covid-19 should delay vaccination until their symptoms are over and a minimum of 10 days have passed since their symptoms began. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions concerning vaccination after a Covid-19 infection.
Should parents and caregivers wait for updated or additional vaccines if a child is at low risk for infection?
We encourage parents and caregivers to have their children and teens vaccinated as soon as vaccines are available and appropriate for their children.
The MCHD supports the right of every parent and guardian to make fully informed decisions for their child’s health care and immunization needs, and we are available to answer your questions.
Please call our office, or your medical provider, or click on the link to the source materials below if you have concerns regarding Covid-19 or the vaccines that are currently available.
How can you schedule a COVID-19 vaccination for your child or teen?
Covid-19 vaccines are available at the Moultrie County Health Department. They are currently provided at no charge to all individuals for whom the vaccine is appropriate. Please call our office to schedule an appointment for your child or teen.
Adult Covid-19 vaccines can also be scheduled online by visiting our website.
Source materials:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage, “COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens”