COVID-19 VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS FACTS

by the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association

Updated: June 15, 2024

Public health officials continue to track side effects from the vaccine as new virus variants emerge and the vaccine changes to update guidance as appropriate. 

Vaccine Appointments

Albertans can book a vaccine appointment here. 

Recommended Vaccines for Children and Teens

All kids over six months, teens and adults are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. 

The most current updated COVID-19 vaccine should be given to children and teens who are six months of age and older, with higher risks for infection or severe disease as follows (1):

  • Children living in congregate living settings.

  • Children and teens with underlying medical conditions/complex health needs. Examples: children who are medically fragile/have medical complexities, children with more than one comorbidity, children with neurological disorders, children with chronic lung disease, and children with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), and other immunocompromising conditions.

  • Children from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

  • Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities.

Previously unvaccinated children who are five years of age and older and moderately to severely immunocompromised may receive additional doses of the vaccine. 

All other previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals (six months of age and older) who are not at increased risk for infection or severe COVID-19 disease (i.e., not on the list above) may also receive the most recently updated vaccine in the fall of 2024.

Children and Teens Benefit from the COVID-19 Vaccine

Children are more likely than adults to have mild symptoms with COVID-19 infection.  However, some healthy children and teens may be hospitalized, experience longer-term effects such as long-COVID (also called post-COVID-19 condition) or experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which is a serious condition even though most children who have had this condition in Canada have recovered with treatment (2). The vaccine can prevent infection and these potential complications from infection.

Children and teens with immunocompromising conditions, Down syndrome, neurological disorders, conditions requiring more medical care, and ongoing lung problems have a higher risk of severe illness from getting COVID-19 (2). 

Studies in the US and England have shown there has been substantially lower rates of confirmed COVID-19 infection among vaccinated children and among boosted adolescents compared with unvaccinated children and adolescents (3). 

The Government of Canada has reported 59,433 total deaths from COVID-19 as of June 4, 2024 (4). 87 of the people who passed were age 19 and younger (5).

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

Patients, parents, care providers and public health officials can be partners in ensuring ongoing vaccine safety and monitoring. Anyone concerned about vaccine side effects should consult with their physician or report to 811. In addition, people in Alberta may choose to enroll in a research study here about COVID-19 vaccine and possible side effects. Your physician can learn more about adverse event reporting here. Canadian public health officials continue to monitor vaccine safety through the Canadian Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System (CAEFISS) and international collaboration.

In Canada, the large majority of children and teens who have received a vaccine have not reported unusual side effects. As of February 25, 2024, the number of vaccines administered for people aged 17 and under is 9,475,537 doses. To see the list of reported potential adverse events click the reference website (6). 

  • 9,472,598 doses were administered with no reported side effect.

  • There have been no fatalities in children attributed to the vaccines in Canada.  



References:

  1. National Advisory Committee on Immunization: Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines during the fall of 2024

  2. Government of Canada, Vaccines for children: COVID-19 vaccination  

  3. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, COVID-19 vaccination protects children and adolescents

  4. Government of Canada: COVID-19 epidemiology summary

  5. Government of Canada: COVID-19 epidemiology update: Current situation

  6. Government of Canada: Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada