After months of waiting and doing research we have finally decided to get my 9 year old daughter the COVID-19 vaccine. I waited to write this post two weeks after her second shot to give you all accurate results. Her dad and I both have the two- dose Pfizer vaccine and I have the Pfizer booster. Full transparency, I had COVID in December 2021, a few weeks after I received the booster and he had it in January 2022. During that time our kids were COVID-free, when they were both not vaccinated. I had very mild symptoms and they lasted for only a day, he on the other hand had a fever, sore throat and coughing for about a week. Neither of us were hospitalized so the vaccine was effective in that way. If the kids didn’t get it, then why did I choose to go ahead with the vaccine? The overall answer is because she asked to be.
Do Your Own Research on COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids
A big reason why we waited was because there just wasn’t enough research out there for us to fully feel comfortable. I would constantly keep up with the news to hear the different statistics. I also regularly checked the CDC website for updates. But the most effective research that I did was talking to other parents about their experience with their kids. I am fortunate to know parents who signed their kids up for the vaccine trials so they were there from the beginning. I saw that their kids were fine and doing well, most exhibiting little to no symptoms. Mainly arm soreness. From that research we decided to go forward with the COVID-19 vaccine for my daughter.
Symptoms of COVID-19 Vaccine in Child Under 12
First of all Mila did very well getting her shot with no squirming or crying and that made me really proud. We scheduled Mila to get her COVID-19 vaccine at a local CVS. After the first shot, I immediately gave her Tylenol to prevent from any soreness or symptoms. Her arm was sore for the day and a little bit the next day. But other than that she didn’t exhibit any cold-like or flu-like symptoms. I did give her Tylenol twice the next day, just to keep the soreness down and because that is what the nurse advised. She had her second shot at the local CVS as well. This time after the shot they made us stick around for 15 minutes to make sure she didn’t have any reaction. She was fine and again it was slight arm soreness. We gave her Tylenol again, after the shot and the next day. Surprisingly she had absolutely no symptoms the next day, even good enough to play in a soccer game. She was a little tired, but that could have been due to all the activity that weekend.
COVID-19 Vaccine booster and kids younger than 5
Going forward with the COVID-19 vaccine booster possibly coming out soon for kids 6-12, is something that I am considering. I will definitely start the research process over again, but I do not think I will be eager for her to get it. Thus far we have been very blessed in her not having any huge symptoms without the vaccine even though she has been exposed. I like that she has the protection of the two shots and I think that is fine for now. My 3-year old son has already been talking about getting the shot. I am very open to him getting vaccinated early on when it is available. With him being in daycare, there is a new sickness every month. To have him extra protected will give me a peace of mind. I will keep this post updated as things change in our family.
