COVID-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, Moderna (2023-2024)
Generic name: COVID-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, Moderna (2023-2024) [ KOE-vid-VAX-een ]
Brand name: Moderna COVID-19 (2023-2024) PF Vaccine (cvx 311)
Dosage form: intramuscular suspension (preservative-free 25 mcg/0.25 mL)
Drug class: Viral vaccines
What is the COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 is a serious disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). COVID-19 is spread from person to person through the air.
COVID-19 can affect your lungs or other organs. Symptoms may be mild or serious and include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The COVID-19 vaccine is used to help prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.
The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna vaccine in children who are 6 months to 11 years of age.
COVID-19 vaccine does not contain coronavirus and cannot give your child COVID-19. This vaccine will not treat an active COVID-19 infection.
Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine may not provide protection in every person.
This vaccine side effects
Get emergency medical help if your child has signs of an allergic reaction: hives, rash, dizziness, weakness, fast heartbeats, difficult breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The vaccination provider may want to watch your child for a short time after the shot, to make sure your child does not have an allergic reaction. Your child will be treated quickly if there is a reaction right after receiving the vaccine.
Your child should not receive this vaccine if the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine caused an allergic reaction. The doctor or vaccination provider will determine if your child can safely receive this vaccine.
Not all possible side effects are known. Becoming infected with COVID-19 is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.
Some people receiving this vaccine had inflammation of the heart muscle or the lining around the heart within two weeks after receiving this vaccine, but the risk of this side effect is very low. Seek medical attention right away if your child has:
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chest pain;
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breathing problems; or
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fast or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest.
Common side effects of COVID-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, Moderna may include:
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fever, chills, headache, cool or pale skin;
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loss of appetite, stomach pain;
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swelling, redness, or a hard lump where the shot was given;
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tender or swollen lymph nodes near your armpit or groin;
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nausea, vomiting, fainting;
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feeling tired or irritated, crying; or
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muscle or joint pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.
You may also use a smartphone-based program called V-safe to communicate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about any health problems your child has after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine: www.cdc.gov/vsafe.
Related/similar drugs
Paxlovid, Lagevrio, remdesivir, molnupiravir, Actemra, nirmatrelvir / ritonavir
Warnings
Becoming infected with COVID-19 is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.
Before taking this medicine
Your child should not receive this vaccine if your child ever had a severe allergic reaction to Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
If your child is infected with COVID-19, is waiting for testing results, or is exposed to someone infected with COVID-19: Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine until your child has no symptoms and/or the required quarantine period has ended. Receiving this vaccine will not make your child less contagious to other people if your child is infected with COVID-19 but has no symptoms.
Ask the doctor if you are unsure about any COVID-19 treatments your child received.
Tell your vaccination provider if your child has:
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any allergies;
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inflammation in or around your heart (myocarditis or pericarditis);
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a fever;
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bleeding problems or taking a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
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a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicine;
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pregnant or breastfeeding;
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received any other COVID-19 vaccine or if your child is scheduled to receive a vaccine; or
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fainted after receiving an injection.
A pregnant female may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of the vaccine on the baby.
How is this vaccine given?
Read all vaccine information sheets provided to you. Follow the label directions or your vaccination provider's instructions.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given to children 6 months to 4 years of age in the following ways:
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unvaccinated children: two doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are given. The second dose is given 1 month after the first dose.
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children who have received one dose of original monovalent or bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: a single dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given 1 month after their last dose.
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children who have received two or more doses of original monovalent or bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: a single dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given at least 2 months after their last dose.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given to children 5 to 11 years old in the following ways:
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unvaccinated children: a single dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
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children who have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine: a single dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is given at least 2 months after the last dose.
Additional doses of the vaccine may be given if your child has a weak immune system. Your doctor or vaccination provider will determine whether your child needs an additional dose.
You will receive a reminder card showing the date and type of each injection. Take this card with you each time you receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Keep using infection control methods when your child is in public or around others who may not have been vaccinated. This includes social distancing, hand-washing, using protective face covering, disinfecting surfaces you touch a lot, and not sharing personal items with others.
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not cause your child to test positive on a coronavirus test. However, once your body develops immunity to COVID-19, your child could test positive on an antibody test (a test to detect immunity in your body from previous exposure to coronavirus).
It is not known how long this vaccine will protect your child from infection with COVID-19. It also is not known how long immunity will last in a child who's been infected with and recovered from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine is still being studied and all of its risks are not yet known. Updated federal public health recommendations may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your vaccination provider or health department if your child misses a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid after receiving this vaccine?
Avoid receiving other vaccines without first seeking medical advice.
What other drugs will affect this vaccine?
Before your child receives this vaccine, tell your vaccination provider about all other vaccines your child has received. Other drugs may affect this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines your child uses.
More about sars-cov-2 (covid-19) mrna-lnp vaccine (cvx 311)
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Other brands
Moderna COVID-19 (2023-2024) PF Vaccine (cvx 311)
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Further information
- Your child's vaccination provider can provide more information about this vaccine. Additional information is available from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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