Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like wearing masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) recommendations to protect yourself and othersOpens In A New Window will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

COVID-19 can make children and teens very sick and sometimes requires treatment in a hospital. Getting eligible children and teens vaccinated against COVID-19 can help keep them from getting really sick if they do get COVID-19, including protecting them from short and long-term complications and hospitalization. Vaccinating children can also help keep them in school or daycare and safely participating in sports, playdates, and other group activities.

The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group:

• Children and teens ages 6 months–17 years
• Adults ages 18 years and older

Learn 6 Things About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children.

Use CDC’s COVID-19 Booster Tool to learn if and when your child or teen can get boosters to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience sickness.

Both natural immunity and immunity produced by a vaccine are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.

Many pharmacies, health centers, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, and mass vaccination clinics are vaccine providers. 

View vaccine provider locations.

Many pharmacies, health centers, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, and mass vaccination clinics are vaccine providers. 

View vaccine provider locations.

Scientists are monitoring how long COVID-19 vaccine protection lasts. COVID-19 vaccines work well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, public health experts are seeing decreases in the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide over time, especially for certain groups of people. Due to this, CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. Learn more about COVID-19 booster recommendations, including recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

CDC continues to review evidence and updates guidance as new information becomes available.

Ask your doctor or your child’s pediatrician. We’re here to answer your questions and help you with your decision, too.

• Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination (CDC)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (PA Dept of Health)
• Additional Dose COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
• Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
• Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Vaccine Providers’ Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines Frequently Asked Questions
• Information for Vaccinated Pennsylvanians – Frequently Asked Questions
• Expanded Special Initiative and Regional Vaccination Clinic Program FAQs