COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Children Ages 6 Months and Older
Posted June 21, 2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and older. The Moderna vaccine is for children ages 6 months to 5 years and is a two-dose primary series, while the Pfizer vaccine is for children ages 6 months to 4 years, and is a three-dose primary series. The CDC has additional information about doses. Possible vaccine side effects are the same as other pediatric vaccines and may include fever, tiredness, irritability and tenderness at the injection site.
Johns Hopkins Medicine will offer vaccines for these age groups starting on Friday, June 24 through our Maryland locations. Check this web page for updates on vaccine clinic hours and locations.
Vaccines and Boosters
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend, COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone 5 and older. Individuals are up to date on vaccines and boosters after receiving all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended, when eligible.
Vaccines: Individuals 6 months and older are fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the final dose in the primary series.
- Vaccine recommendations are different depending on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose. For details, please review the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
- COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised include an additional dose in their primary series. For details, please review the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Boosters
1 booster: The CDC recommends everyone 5 and older get a booster when eligible. Please review the CDC’s booster guidelines for details. (Timelines will vary for those who are immunocompromised.)
2 boosters: The CDC recommends a second booster for the following groups:
- Adults 50 and older
- Those 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Please review the CDC’s booster guidelines for details.
Ways to Get Your Vaccine or Booster
Find state and local vaccine resources. Some vaccination sites offer walk-up vaccinations. The State Center COVID Vaccine Location, a joint operation by University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine, is now open.
Safety Guidelines
Face masks are required to enter any of our care facilities and expected to be worn at all times, even if you are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. We will provide a mask if needed.
Neck gaiters, bandanas, masks with exhalation valves, or clear shield-like face masks are not permitted to be worn as face coverings at Johns Hopkins Medicine facilities.
Vaccine Location Information
State Center COVID Vaccine Location for Individuals 5 and Older
State Center at 300 West Preston Street, just north of the Mount Vernon neighborhood in Baltimore, is serving as a COVID vaccine location managed by the BCCFH - COVID Task Force, a joint operation by University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This State Center location has taken the place of the Baltimore Convention Center location, which has now closed.
For individuals ages 5-11, vaccines will be available by appointment only, while supplies last. Visit umms.org/bccvaccine to make an appointment and to see additional dates for next week. Walk-up vaccines will be available to individuals 12 and older.
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians for 6 Months and Older
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians (JHCP) practices are offering vaccination appointments to its patients. Appointments must be scheduled in advance via MyChart.
- Many practices will offer the Moderna vaccine for individuals ages 18 and older
- Select pediatric locations are offering Pfizer for patients 5-11 years
- Select pediatric locations are offering Moderna for patients 6 months through 5 years
Make an Appointment
Schedule Online Using MyChart (Patients Only)
We are offering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters through some of our primary care practices and specialty clinics. Patients will be able to schedule vaccination and booster appointments using their MyChart accounts.
- Log into MyChart.
- Select “Visits” from the top left navigation bar, then click on “Schedule an Appointment.”
- Find the section titled “Tell us why you’re coming in.” Select “COVID-19 Vaccine.”
- Follow the prompts to select your vaccination location, date and time.
If you do not see any available appointments, please check again in the coming days. We will update MyChart as vaccine supply is made available.
Vaccine Availability
We recommend that everyone who is eligible get vaccinated and boosted with one of the currently authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer or Moderna. We view both as highly effective in preventing serious disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 (including disease caused by the very contagious delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus), and we believe that their benefits outweigh their risks.
At Johns Hopkins Medicine, we offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines throughout our vaccine clinics. We have a limited supply of J&J vaccine and only offer it by request and if the recipient clearly understands the risks and benefits.
Mix and Match
Individuals ages 18 and older can receive a COVID-19 booster or additional dose that is a different brand than their initial dose or doses. The CDC recommends that individuals age 18 or older receive either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for either a booster or additional dose. While these two mRNA vaccines are preferred, the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine can be used as a booster in some situations.
Safety Measures
It takes at least two weeks beyond the second dose of vaccine for two-dose regimens and beyond vaccination for one-dose regimens for full protection to develop. Even after full vaccination and receiving a booster, infection prevention measures such as wearing a mask, physical distancing and frequent handwashing are still particularly important since you might be able to pick up the virus, carry it and give it to others. Learn more from our infographic, COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know.