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Vaccine for children and teens 

Information for parents, caregivers, youth, schools, and organizations about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. 

February 28, 2024

People 65 and older should get an additional dose of the updated (2023-24) COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone 6 months to 64 years should get one dose of the updated (2023-24) COVID-19 vaccine. 

Check with your pharmacy, healthcare provider, or visit Vaccines.gov to search for appointments. Drop-in vaccinations and appointments are available at our Public Health Center in Kent for all ages through the end of March.

Who is eligible

An updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. 

Children aged 6 months–5 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 updated dose of Pfizer or Moderna. It depends on the number of doses they’ve previously received and their age. 

Please check with your healthcare provider if you have questions about how many doses you need. 

Find more details on staying up to date

What to bring to your vaccine appointment

  • Identification with date of birth: state, tribe, or federal-issued ID. A billing or bank statement with your name and address can also be used.
  • Health insurance card. Let your provider know if you do not have insurance. Some clinics and pharmacies can provide COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
  • Wear short sleeves or loose-fitting sleeves that are easy to roll up so that you can get vaccinated in your upper arm.
  • Your CDC vaccination card if you are getting a second dose or booster dose. The record of your new dose will be added to the card. If you do not have your card, check ahead with your vaccination site.
  • Authorized adult consent: If you are younger than 18 years old, you may need consent from an authorized adult to get the vaccine. You can consent for yourself if you are emancipated, married to an adult, or the vaccine site determines you are a mature minor. Not all vaccine sites are able to make mature minor determinations.
  • Authorized adults who may consent for minors include:

    • Adult who has court permission to make health care decisions for you (legal guardian, custodian, out-of-home placement order) 
    • Parent
    • Adult who has your parent's written permission to make health care decisions for you 
    • Adult relative responsible for your health care 
    • In some circumstances, a school nurse, school counselor, or homeless student liaison 

    If an authorized adult will not attend the vaccine appointment with you, check with your vaccine provider about requirements for showing proof of authorized adult consent or legal emancipation.

Downloadable materials

Print Ultra Germ Fighters as a booklet or as individual activity pages. They include mazes, comics, find-it activities, and coloring for children ages 5-8 along with information about childhood vaccines for families.

Ultra Germ Fighters activity book

Available as PDF in the following languages. Note: except for Spanish, the cover and pages for children are in English. The information for families on the last page is translated.

This form is used at Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccination sites, including the Kent Vaccination Partnership Sites and Public Health clinics. If an authorized adult will not attend the vaccine appointment with you, this form can be used as written consent. Public Health staff can also accept verbal consent over the phone or a written note from an authorized adult. If your vaccine appointment is not at a Public Health site, check with your vaccine provider about requirements for showing proof of authorized adult consent or legal emancipation.

Available as PDF in the following languages:

Videos

Q&A with Dr. Ben: Vaccines for kids

Parents have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. Beloved local pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson is here to help.

Dr. Ben Danielson answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines

See all the videos: Q&A with Dr. Ben: Vaccines for kids

Kids ask Dr. Ben Danielson about COVID-19 vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds

Beloved local pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson answers some common questions from kids about the vaccines. This is a great video for parents to watch with their children before going to get the shot!

Dr. Ben Danielson answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines

Videos about vaccine for children in Spanish and Somali

The trusted pharmacist Dr. Luis Navarro answers some common questions in Spanish from parents about the COVID-19 vaccines for children.

Dr. Navarro answers kids' questions about COVID-9 vaccines (en Español/in Spanish)

Dr. Helen Stankiewicz Karita from the UW answers families’ common questions in Spanish.

Dr. Helen Stankiewicz Karita from the UW answers families’ common questions in Spanish

Vea todos los videos en español con la Dra. Helen: Las vacunas contra el COVID para niños: con Dra. Helen

Trusted leaders Dr. Ahmed Ali and Dr. Iman Yunis from Othello Pharmacy answer common questions about COVID-19 vaccine for children in Somali.

Trusted leaders Dr. Ahmed Ali and Dr. Iman Yunis from Othello Pharmacy

Guidance for schools, childcare, and youth organizations

Information from the Washington Department of Health:

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