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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: Jan. 24, 2022)
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 a trusted community vaccination program that may be able to offer immunization before CHOP (such as those being offered at schools, local pharmacies, or local health departments), we encourage you to do so. You can also search this vaccine finder (available in English and Spanish) to find a vaccine program close to home.
Children Ages 5-11
Status
With the FDA’s extension of Pfizer-BioNTech’s current Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), U.S. children ages 5-11 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). A third dose of the mRNA vaccine is recommended for immunocompromised patients. PLEASE NOTE: 5-11-year-olds can ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine.
CHOP Primary Care practices are now offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to their eligible Primary Care patients, ages 5-11.
What You Can Do Now
Eligible CHOP Primary Care patients ages 5 to 11 can schedule vaccine appointments here. If your child has received any dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a location other than CHOP, please notify your Primary Care office. Still trying to decide? Consider these three factors.
Teens and Young Adults Ages 12-23
Status
All U.S. individuals age 12 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A third dose of the mRNA vaccine is recommended for immunocompromised patients, and booster shots are recommended for all individuals over the age of 12 (see CDC guidance). PLEASE NOTE: 12-18-year-olds can ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine.
All CHOP Primary Care practices are offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to their eligible Primary Care patients, including a third dose for immunocompromised patients and booster shots for any patient ages 12-23.
What You Can Do Now
Eligible CHOP Primary Care patients ages 12-23 can call their Primary Care office to schedule a vaccine appointment. Booster shots are also available for patients 12 and over. Find ways to schedule a booster shot here. If your child has received any dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a location other than CHOP, please notify your Primary Care office.
Children Under 5
Status
Currently, no COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in children under the age of 5.
What You Can Do Now
See if your child is eligible to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. 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).
Community Vaccination Programs
From hosting vaccination events in underserved neighborhoods to vaccinating unaffiliated healthcare workers, CHOP has partnered with organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia area to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about CHOP’s community vaccination efforts.
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
- Watch: How mRNA Vaccines Work
- Should My Child Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
- Three Factors to Assist Parents' Decision-Making
- Get the Facts about Myocarditis and COVID-19
- 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)
- Supporting School-Age Children Before, During and After Vaccination
- My COVID-19 Vaccine Experience: Watch short videos sharing personal experiences and decision-making related to getting the COVID-19 vaccine
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.
