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What Side Effects Can Children Experience After Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine?

"After receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, what side effects may children experience and how should they be cared for? Let's explore this important topic together and discover ways to ensure the well-being of our young ones."

Administrator

11 July, 2024

The COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for children aged 12-17, and the government is preparing to extend the vaccination program to those aged 5-11. This initiative not only helps protect children from the virus and boosts their immunity but also enables them to resume their normal activities more safely. So, what are the recommendations from the WHO regarding COVID-19 vaccination for children? Let’s find out in the article below.

1. Possible Side Effects After Children Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine

According to the Health and Life newspaper, side effects may appear or not in some children depending on their immunity and physical condition. However, most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are typically mild to moderate and will subside within a few days.

Some possible side effects that may occur in children include:

Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site or throughout the body
Fatigue, headache, muscle pain, fever, nausea, etc.
In some cases, children may experience swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or neck or develop a red, itchy rash on the injected arm, known as “COVID arm.”

Clinical trials have shown that children tend to experience a higher fever than adults.

COVID arm

In addition to these reactions, there are some rare side effects that mainly affect males, including myocarditis and pericarditis, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat.

2. How to Care for Children After Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine

For safety reasons, parents should educate their children about the vaccination and inform the doctor about any allergies the child may have. It is not recommended to give pain relievers to children before vaccination.

After the vaccination, parents should remain with their children for 15-30 minutes at the vaccination center to observe for any immediate adverse reactions, as medical staff will be on hand to provide assistance if needed.

Additionally, consult a doctor before giving your child any medication, including over-the-counter drugs like panadol, ibuprofen, or naprosyn, to alleviate pain or fever caused by side effects. For medications that your child takes daily, continue to administer them as usual.

Caring for children after the COVID-19 vaccination

To reduce pain or swelling at the injection site without medication, you can:

Apply a clean, cold compress to the area or encourage gentle arm movement.
To ease discomfort from fever, ensure your child stays hydrated, eats nutritious foods, and wears comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.

If your child experiences severe symptoms such as a fever above 38°C, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, anaphylaxis, or worsening symptoms at the injection site after 24 hours, contact your doctor or nearest medical center immediately for advice and treatment.

3. WHO Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccines for Children

There is a misconception that children do not need the COVID-19 vaccine because they are less likely to become infected. However, children who contract the virus are still at risk of experiencing severe side effects, similar to adults, even if they are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms when detected.

Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended in July 2021 that children aged 12-17 receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has also recently requested that local authorities prepare to administer the vaccine to children aged 5-11, starting from October 2021.

For children aged 5 to under 12: Each tray contains 195 vials, with 10 doses per vial; each box contains 10 vials, with 10 doses per vial. The vaccine is manufactured by Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium NV (Belgium), BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH (Germany), Pharmacia and Upjohn Company LLC (USA), and Hospira Incorporated (USA).

Decision 457 takes effect from today, March 1st, revoking Decision No. 4035/QD-BYT dated August 21st, 2021, of the Minister of Health.

WHO recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines for children

The WHO’s group of experts (SAGE) concluded that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for individuals aged 16 and older and authorized for emergency use for those aged 12-15.

Furthermore, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children over 12 years old should receive the COVID-19 vaccine to help curb the pandemic. The vaccine dosage for this age group remains the same as for adults, and the interval between the two doses is three weeks.

For further information:

The above information provides essential details about the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Stay tuned for more updates!

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Health and Life newspaper

Frequently asked questions

Some common side effects that children may experience include pain or redness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. More serious but rare side effects include allergic reactions, heart inflammation, and blood clotting issues.

Side effects typically last only a few days and are usually mild to moderate in severity. However, in rare cases, some side effects may persist for several weeks or months.

If your child experiences any side effects, it is important to monitor their symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary. For mild side effects, you can give your child over-the-counter pain relievers and encourage them to rest and drink plenty of fluids. However, if your child experiences more severe or persistent symptoms, or if you are concerned, contact your healthcare provider for advice and guidance.

Currently, there is no evidence of long-term side effects associated with the COVID-19 vaccine in children. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, as the vaccine helps protect children from the potentially severe consequences of COVID-19 infection, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

Before your child receives the COVID-19 vaccine, you can explain to them that they may experience some temporary side effects, which are normal and a sign that their body is building protection against the virus. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids before and after vaccination, and make sure they are well-rested. You can also plan a quiet day at home after the vaccination to allow your child to rest and monitor for any side effects.