Can my child get COVID from the vaccine?

Pediatrician Edith Bracho-Sanchez, MD affirms that your child cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine as there is no live virus.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not, I repeat, will not give your child COVID-19. We do not have a live virus in the vaccine, so there’s no way that your child will get COVID-19 from receiving the vaccine. What happens is we are training your body or your child’s body to make a small little protein that is usually made by the virus so that the immune system can be exposed to it and make antibodies. Very quickly after, the body completely breaks it down. This is not something that lingers around, which I have to tell you, as a pediatrician and as a mom, makes me feel very good and very confident about this vaccine.

This information is shared for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at time of filming. Always consult a health care provider for any personal health decisions. Click here for vaccine FAQs from the CDC.

Stay up to date with your COVID vaccine, including boosters!

COVID vaccines are safe and effective for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Immunity wanes over time. Keep up your protection against COVID by getting boosted when eligible.

Updated (bivalent) boosters are now available for adults and children 6 months and older. 

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THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us.

Doctors, nurses, researchers and community health care workers provide facts and dispel misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines in this FAQ video series from KFF with the Black Coalition Against COVID and UnidosUS.

A series for parents and caregivers created in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics provides the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine for kids.

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