COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Children & Teens

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer BioNtech and Moderna vaccines to prevent COVID-19 in children 6 months and older. The FDA has authorized the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for people 18 and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prefers that people get either a Moderna or Pfizer vaccination as a booster shot and recommend a Johnson & Johnson vaccine only in certain situations.

Vaccine dosages and inoculation cycles vary:

• The Pfizer vaccine is given in three doses to children between 6 months and 4 years old. Children 5 years and older receive the Pfizer vaccine in two doses.
• The Moderna vaccine is given in two doses to children between 6 months and 17 years old. A third dose is authorized for children with certain conditions that weaken their immune systems.
• The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is given in one dose. 

At Boston Children’s, we’re vaccinating eligible patients against COVID-19 at our Longwood campus in Boston, as well as periodically at satellite locations and the Martha Eliot Health Center.

While we are eager to be a vaccine resource, we encourage you to take advantage of any opportunity to schedule a vaccination appointment. It is possible that are sites closer to your home that offer the vaccine too. You can find information about state and local health care organizations offering the vaccine by visiting mass.gov/vaccine.

Because every state is a little different, we encourage Boston Children’s families who live outside of Massachusetts to get vaccinated in your home state as soon as you or your child is eligible. You can search for vaccines near you on the vaccine.gov website.

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How do I schedule my child for a vaccine at Boston Children’s?

Please register for the Boston Children’s patient portal to self-schedule an appointment or call 617-919-7102 to connect with a member of our team to schedule a vaccine. Phone lines will be open Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is there transportation assistance available for COVID-19 vaccine appointments?

Yes. We will ask you if you need transportation assistance when we contact you to schedule your child’s vaccine.

If your child has MassHealth coverage or the Health Safety Net, including MassHealth Limited, Children’s Medical Security Program (CMSP) and MassHealth Family Assistance (FA), you can arrange free transportation to your child’s COVID-19 vaccine appointment by calling 800-841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648). For more information, visit the MassHealth website.

Boston Children’s is providing free parking for all vaccine appointments.

Educating kids about the COVID-19 vaccine

Our top priority remains the safety of our patients, families, and staff.

To most effectively provide care while limiting wait times, all visits are currently by appointment only. We cannot accept walk-in visits, even for blood draws and radiology. Please contact your provider for scheduling information.

Things may look a little different at Boston Children’s. We follow strict infection control recommendations, and to further reduce the risk of COVID-19, we have added some additional measures to keep our environment as safe for you and your family as possible.

When you and your child arrive at Boston Children’s for a visit, one of our staff members will ask you a few questions, including whether you have had symptoms or been exposed to anyone with COVID-19. Your child’s clinical team will tell you in advance whether or not they should be tested for COVID-19 prior to visiting the hospital.

• My Hospital Story: Preparing for a Visit at Boston Children’s Hospital
• My Hospital Story: Preparing for a Visit at Boston Children’s at Waltham
• Preparing for Your Hospital Visit During COVID-19

For the safety of all, we must ask that any visitor who has confirmed COVID-19 stay home and NOT visit Boston Children’s. Please isolate at home, per the state guidelines, and consider making your visit virtual. Until further notice, only two adult caregivers may visit or accompany a patient at one time. Read our visitor policy.

Please wear face coverings as you walk from your car to our facility. When you arrive, we will give you and your child hospital-grade face masks to wear inside the building. You must wear the hospital-issued mask at all times while you are in our facilities, other than when eating or drinking. Please make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose, avoid touching your face or your mask and be sure to wash your hands often.

Please maintain six feet of space between you and other patients, families, and staff as much as possible in all common areas of the lobby, waiting room, and while registering at the front desk. After your initial screening, we recommend that only one adult accompany the patient to the site and enter the exam area. Please reduce your time spent at the hospital by using the MyChildren’s Patient Portal to pre-check in and manage payments.

Our cleaning practices are incorporate recommended guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All surfaces are being regularly cleaned and we continue to provide hand sanitizer throughout our locations.

Insight, advice, and tips for talking about COVID-19 with your kids and helping your whole family cope during these uncertain times.

Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic has led to more food insecurity for families throughout Massachusetts. It also has disproportionately impacted those living in low-income areas and the Black and Latino communities.

Boston Children’s Office of Community Health launched the Boston Childcare Support Initiative in July 2020 to support childcare providers in the communities most impacted by COVID. In total, 130 childcare providers have received grants. The grant amounts ranged from $3,500 to $10,000. These funds will be used by childcare providers to follow public health guidelines, adapt physical spaces, and cover increased costs for staff, overhead, personal protective equipment, and cleaning supplies.

• For the most up-to-date information for renters, homeowners, and landlords visit, mass.gov/covid-19-getting-help-with-housing-costs
• More on tenants’ rights can be found at mass.gov/info-details/tenant-rights and details on eviction at mass.gov/guides/tenants-guide-to-eviction

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.

Boston Children’s Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care under any circumstance. The COVID-19 outbreak has made it more important than ever for us to serve our communities through this unprecedented health crisis together. As the situation continues to evolve, our offices are tracking legislative and regulatory actions related to health care access, behavioral health, and community health. We also are in close contact with all of our partners including city agencies, community health centers, community-based organizations, and the Boston Public Schools to assess the needs, resources, and gaps in services so that Boston Children's can best assist and support our community as needed.

If you have questions or concerns about evolving government policies, please reach out to the Office of Government Relations at CAN@childrens.harvard.edu and sign up for updates through the Children's Advocacy Network.

While the changes brought on by COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come, one thing will never change: Our commitment to providing the highest quality care.

Primary care clinicians—often the first point of contact for patients and families concerned about their children—are the cornerstone of that commitment. From routine wellness checks and vaccinations to uncertain and potentially complex diagnoses, patients and families look to you for guidance and expertise. Your role in this pandemic and the future of pediatric healthcare delivery is essential. We value your partnership as we work together to keep children and families healthy.

While the road ahead is uncertain, we’re in this together. We look forward to continue working with you.

Boston Children’s continues to work closely with state and local officials to ensure the highest standard of safety for our patients, families, clinicians, and staff.

If you believe that a patient would benefit from receiving services from Boston Children’s, then you should refer that patient.

We are open and providing urgent, emergent, and medically necessary in-person care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Depending on your patient’s needs, we may schedule a virtual visit. We have found virtual visits to be a safe and effective way to provide consultations and follow-up care that do not require providers to see patients face to face. In addition, our experts remain available for requests for second opinions. Please use standard operating procedures when referring patients to Boston Children’s. If you need more information regarding referring patients, please contact us for scheduling information.

Please be aware that all visits at Boston Children’s are currently by appointment only. We cannot accept walk-in visits, even for blood draws or radiology. Please contact us for scheduling information.

For the latest guidance on who should get tested, and whether or not testing will be covered by your insurance, please visit mass.gov for more information.

• learn more about testing
• download the testing tipsheet

When does a patient require COVID-19 testing?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recommends testing for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms and any individual who has had close contact a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection.