Recently, a booster shot was approved for children ages 12 and up. Maybe you’re trying to decide if that booster is really necessary. There’s a lot to think about, but the research overwhelmingly shows that vaccination is vital to keeping your children and your family safe and healthy.
For most kids, the risks of being unvaccinated are greater than the risk of rare side effects from the shot. Vaccinations help prevent the spread of COVID-19, which protects your teen, but also those he or she comes into contact with, including individuals who are at a higher risk of complications from COVID-19, such as grandparents and other elderly relatives.
The rates of teen depression and anxiety have gone up significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicide rates have also gone up during this time. By vaccinating your teen, you make it safer for your child to interact with others. Peer support and engagement is one of the top ways to help promote healthy mental health among teenagers. Vaccinations mean your child can play sports, participate in extracurricular activities and spend time with their friends, which in turn offers a beneficial way to protect their mental wellness from the effects of isolation and worry about COVID-19.
Booster shots are available for teens who have had their first two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with five months since the second shot. Click here to find out more about scheduling your teen for their COVID-19 vaccine.