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For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in languages other than English, visit the CDC website.
COVID-19 Vaccine Program
As a COVID-19 vaccination provider, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides vaccinations according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local departments of health. This is an evolving process, and we encourage you to check this page frequently for updates. (Updated: May 10, 2021)
Because our current supply of vaccine remains limited, CHOP unfortunately cannot guarantee the timing of a vaccination appointment for all eligible individuals who express an interest in participating in our COVID-19 vaccination program. If you have the opportunity to enroll in another vaccination program that may be able to offer immunization before CHOP, we encourage you to do so. Visit the Vaccines.gov vaccine finder (available in English and Spanish) to find vaccine appointments near you.
Teens and Young Adults Ages 12-23
Status
UPDATE: The FDA approved an extension of Pfizer’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), expanding age eligibility. All U.S. individuals age 12 and up are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. PLEASE NOTE: 12-18-year-olds can ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine.
CHOP is focusing our vaccination efforts on eligible CHOP patients. In order to be as fair and equitable as possible, eligible patients are being randomly selected for the opportunity to schedule a vaccination.
What You Can Do Now
Get more details about CHOP’s vaccine distribution plans for patients in this age group, and learn what you can do now, including where to find other vaccination sites close to home.
Children Under 12
Status
Currently, no COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in children under the age of 12. CHOP was chosen as a site for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine trial in children. We have not yet started to enroll patients.
What You Can Do Now
Visit CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center for more detailed information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including recommendations for pregnant or nursing moms.
Adults Ages 24 and Up
Status
As a pediatric healthcare institution, CHOP is focusing our patient vaccination program on adolescents and young adults who are best served by a pediatric institution.
What You Can Do Now
If you are 24 or older and are currently eligible, consult your medical provider or local department of health for guidance on finding an appropriate COVID-19 vaccination location, or search the Vaccines.gov vaccine finder (available in English and Spanish).
Healthcare Providers
Status
In addition to our own providers, CHOP immunized thousands of eligible community healthcare providers. This program is now complete.
School Personnel
Status
CHOP partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) and various Philadelphia school networks to immunize more than 19,000 personnel at schools and early childhood education/daycare centers across Philadelphia. This program is now complete.
Answering your questions about long-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
Since COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are new, it is understandable that some people have questions about the long-term effects of the vaccine. While the rules of science do not allow scientists to say that long-term effects can never happen, the evidence is strong that mRNA vaccines will not cause long-term harm.
View this video with a transcript
Additional resources
- Long-term Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine? What We Know
- Should My Child Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
- FAQs about CHOP’s vaccine distribution plans (eligibility, CHOP vaccine clinics, safety and more)
- FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines (ingredients, how they work, side effects, safety and more)
- My COVID-19 Vaccine Experience: Watch short videos sharing personal experiences and decision-making related to getting the COVID-19 vaccine
- Listen to a recording of our Feb. 17 Primary Care Virtual Town Hall for updates on vaccines, variants and more
Still have questions about getting vaccinated through CHOP? Call CHOP's Coronavirus Helpline at 800-722-7112.
What we can all do now to prevent the transmission of COVID-19
Whether you are eligible for the vaccine at this time or not, continue to follow the CDC’s recommended public health guidelines to help prevent transmission of COVID-19.
These guidelines include:
- Wear a mask when outside of your home or interacting with individuals outside your immediate household.
- Maintain physical distancing (6 feet away) from people outside of your immediate household and avoid crowds.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
Get more tips on how to keep your family safe.
Security Reminder
CHOP will never ask for sensitive information such as passwords or social security numbers outside of MyCHOP, our patient portal. If you receive a call, text, email, or social media message asking for sensitive information, do not respond. If you have questions, call your CHOP provider using a phone number you know is legitimate, or contact us through MyCHOP.
