Today, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend booster shots for children ages 5-11. We talked with Dr. Mandie Svatek, who answers a number of common questions about vaccines and children in this video. In short, yes, your child should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster if they are eligible and don’t have medical contraindications, and no, it won’t affect their future fertility. Dr. Svatek, a pediatric hospitalist with University Health and associate professor with UT Health San Antonio, sorts through myths and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines for children.

Feel free to use any part of this in your reporting.

00:00 I thought children couldn’t catch COVID-19, so why should they get vaccinated?

00:35 If my child has already had COVID-19, do they still need to be vaccinated?

01:07 Will the COVID-19 vaccine protect my child against future variants?

01:46 What kind of side effects could my child have from the COVID-19 vaccine and how should we treat them?

02:33 Why is it important for children to receive their COVID-19 booster?

03:08 Could vaccinating my child before they reach puberty affect their development or future fertility?

03:39 Can my child receive other vaccinations when they get their COVID-19 vaccine?

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