Children, Teens & Vaccines

Children 6 months and older can now get the updated COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination offers the best protection against new variants, long COVID, hospitalization, and death. Don’t let COVID-19 slow your family down on family fun.

*Update: Shasta County Public Health Vaccination Clinic now has COVID vaccines available for VFC clients only.*

What you need to know:

Anyone aged 6 months and older can get vaccinated.
Most people 5 years or older should get one dose of the updated vaccine.
Children under 5 years or younger and anyone with weakened immune systems may be eligible to receive multiple doses of the updated vaccine.

Learn more from the FAQs and supporting documents/links below or visit our other FAQ page. You can also learn more by watching the Emergency Use Authorization process video.

Minor consent forms for Pfizer are now available in English and Spanish.

What vaccine can kids receive?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are authorized for ages 6 months and older. Novavax vaccine is authorized for ages 12 and older. More information about timing and dosage: COVID-19 Vaccine Timing and Calendario de la Vacuna COVID-19.

Where can my kid(s) get the vaccine?

Vaccines are available in many places you probably already visit often, including pharmacies and grocery stores.

You can also call the Shasta County Public Health Immunization Clinic at (530) 225- 5591 for vaccine availability or to make an appointment.
Visit MyTurn.ca.gov or https://www.vaccines.gov/ to make an appointment or find a walk-in clinic in your area.
Text your zip code to 438829 or call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at: 1-800-232-0233
For people with disabilities, please call the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) if you need COVID-19 vaccination support at: 1-888-677-1199

Why should kids be vaccinated?

Vaccinations protect children from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19.
These can include Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome-Children (MIS-C), hospitalization, and death.
Most children do not generally become as sick as adults do, but some have become severely ill with COVID-19. Children can also experience “long COVID,” even when they have mild or no symptoms.
We still don’t know the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on children, including on the heart and nervous system.
Children can also spread the disease to people in their families and others who may be at risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

If my child had COVID-19 already, do they need the vaccine?

Children who have already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated.
For children who have been infected, their next dose can be delayed 3 months from when symptoms started or, if they did not have symptoms when they received a positive test.
Getting fully vaccinated will help prevent serious illness or hospitalization if they do get infected again.