Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Updates
Updated: January 3, 2023
COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccines Authorized for Kids 6 Months Through 5 Years
COVID-19 bivalent vaccines are now authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for children ages 6 months through 5 years.
Learn more about whether your child is eligible for the bivalent vaccine on the Vaccine tab.
Masks Still Required at Most Locations
In the Delaware Valley and Central Florida: We continue to require everyone age 2 and older to wear an approved mask while in a Nemours Children's hospital or clinic, even if they are fully vaccinated.
In Jacksonville and Pensacola: Masking is optional for patients and families in outpatient clinical settings.
Learn more on the Visitor Restrictions tab.
Expert Care in the Age of COVID-19
We know how important it is for kids to stay on track with well-child visits and treatment for illnesses, injuries and chronic conditions. We’re ready to safely provide the care your child needs, either in our offices or through a telehealth visit.
Learn more about what to expect at your child’s next visit.
The COVID-19 Vaccine
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has been authorized for kids ages 5 and older. We are encouraging parents to have their eligible children vaccinated as soon as possible.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and options to be vaccinated in your state, visit our Vaccine page.
COVID-19 Testing
At this time, Nemours is only offering COVID-19 testing for patients who have a scheduled appointment based on their symptoms, an upcoming procedure or surgery, or who need to be admitted to the hospital.
If your child is showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, loss of taste or smell), call your Nemours provider or have a video visit on the Nemours app for care and testing instructions.
Visit our Testing page for more information and a list of community testing resources.
MIS-C: A reason to call your pediatrician immediately. Learn More
Mask Still Required at Nemours
To protect our patients, Nemours will continue to require everyone age 2 and older to wear an approved mask while in a Nemours facility, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Please note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all students older than 2 years and all school staff should wear face masks at school (unless medical or developmental conditions prohibit use). Therefore, we do not provide mask exemption letters for school.
Options For Care
In-Person Outpatient Services
Primary Care | Urgent Care | Specialty Care
Nemours is scheduling in-person appointments for primary care and specialty care. For in-person care without an appointment in Central Florida, visit a Nemours Children's urgent care location. In Pennsylvania, we encourage patients to visit our preferred urgent care provider, PM Pediatrics
Live Video Visits (Telehealth)
Primary Care | Urgent Care | Specialty Care
Our video visit options include scheduled primary care and specialty care appointments, as well as no-appointment, urgent care visits. Create a Nemours app account to get started.
Surgical Services
Elective and emergency surgeries are being performed as scheduled. Talk to your child’s Nemours provider if you have questions about presurgery requirements and the steps we are taking to keep your child safe.
Hospital Stays
At Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware in Wilmington, Del. and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida in Orlando, we’re continuing to provide exceptional inpatient care. We’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure our hospitals are safe, clean and welcoming.
Emergency Care
If your child has a serious illness or injury, we have taken necessary steps to ensure that they can be seen safely in our emergency room.
Please Note: If your child has cold or flu symptoms, or they have been exposed to COVID-19, call your child’s primary care doctor first for care instructions. Do not come to the ER for COVID-19 testing. Wait times are long, and kids there might have very contagious illnesses.
Help us study the impact of COVID-19 on children’s health.
Learn More About COVID-19
We have a wealth of online resources to help you and your child learn about COVID-19 and how to stay safe during the pandemic at KidsHealth from Nemours . Check out our articles and videos for parents, kids and teens . We’re adding new information about COVID-19 and other health topics all the time, so check back often.
Nemours leaders have been asked to provide expertise and advice throughout the pandemic.
See what they're sharing.
Financial Assistance During COVID-19
If you are experiencing financial hardship or you’ve lost health insurance coverage due to COVID-19, we can help you. Because it’s so important to keep your child on track with routine care and immunizations, we offer financial assistance and other resources to lend a hand.
Help With Masking
Get tips (PDF) on helping your child get used to wearing a mask and discover two stories about masking written for kids.
We Make Asthma Care Easy With the Nemours App
We created the Nemours app to help you easily manage your child’s health care. It also lets you communicate with your care team, track appointments and symptoms, access your child’s medical records, and launch video health visits on demand.
Learn More
COVID-19 Testing for Children
Due to supply and staffing limitations, Nemours Children’s does NOT offer community testing or testing for patients without symptoms at any of our locations.
If your child needs a COVID-19 test for school, travel, or other activities, please visit a community testing site. DO NOT come to the Nemours Children’s Hospital emergency room unless your child is having a true medical emergency.
COVID-19 Testing Options
If your child is exposed to COVID-19 or begins showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, loss of taste or smell), call your Nemours provider or have a video visit on the Nemours app for care and testing instructions.
COVID-19 Testing Options
Testing Options
Testing Options
Learn More About COVID-19 Tests
Experts from Nemours KidsHealth explain the different types of COVID-19 tests to help you determine which one might be right for your child.
Download the Nemours App
We created the Nemours app to help you easily manage your child’s asthma, as well manage other aspects of your child’s health care. The app is interactive, so it quickly assesses how your child’s asthma is doing, and tells you what steps you should take. It also lets you communicate with your care team, track appointments and symptoms, access your child’s medical records, and launch video doctor visits on demand.
Learn More
COVID-19 Vaccine and Children
Where to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine for Your Child
In the Delaware Valley
We are providing the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to all Nemours Children's Health patients under 5 years old and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to patients ages 5-21. Self-scheduling is available in the Nemours app or you can call your Nemours primary care provider for an appointment.
NOTE: For children under 5, we cannot guarantee which vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, will be available at a given clinic or location.
In addition, the Delaware Division of Public Health is hosting Pfizer vaccine walk-in hours at five public clinics. Learn More
In Florida
All Florida residents age 6 months and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage parents to schedule your child's COVID-19 vaccination at any Florida community clinic or retail site offering the vaccine. All individuals under the age of 18 receiving a vaccine must be accompanied by a guardian and complete a consent form.
Frequently Asked Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently authorized for children ages 6 months and up. Both vaccines have been shown to be safe for those age groups.
Will Nemours Children's be offering the COVID-19 vaccine to patients?
We are currently offering the vaccine to patients age 5 and older in the Delaware Valley. We encourage Florida families to schedule your eligible child's COVID-19 vaccination at any Florida community clinic or retail site offering the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
Can all children receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Currently, we are vaccinating only children ages 6 months and up.
Can kids get COVID-19 vaccine along with the flu vaccine?
Yes. It is safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine along with any other routine vaccine, including the flu vaccine. All kids 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available in their communities. All kids ages 5 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting both vaccines now can mean fewer trips to the doctor and feeling any vaccine-related side effects only once.
Is the lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine OK for my child?
The experts have answered: the COVID-19 vaccine dose is based ONLY on a person’s age and NOT on their weight or height. The vaccine dosing is based upon the child’s age and is due to differences in immune response seen in younger children. Even with a lower dose, the vaccine was shown to produce a strong immune response in young children similar to that seen in older adolescents who received the higher dose. The lower does is also less likely to cause side effects for your child.
If my child had COVID-19, should they still get the vaccine?
Yes, the vaccine is recommended for people who have had COVID-19 because natural immunity does not last long and your child can get COVID-19 again, putting themselves and others at risk.
Once my child has the vaccine, will we all still need to wear a mask and social distance?
Yes, you should still follow guidance from the CDC and local public health authorities and continue to wear a mask, socially distance and follow safety precautions when community transmission risk is elevated in your area. There are a few reasons for this:
- The vaccine takes time to provide protection
- The vaccine has not been shown to be 100% effective at protecting people from severe COVID-19 illness.
- While the results from the clinical trials show the vaccine to be effective at reducing symptomatic COVID-19 disease, we know that vaccinated individuals can still become infected with and transmit the SARS CoV-2 virus.
- Early results from clinical trials suggest the immunity a person gets from the COVID-19 vaccine lasts longer than the immunity they would have after being ill with COVID-19, but we still do not know how long the protection will last.
Once vaccinated can my child or I still get COVID-19?
People can still get COVID-19 after vaccination. However, these infections are typically mild.
Does my child need the COVID-19 vaccine if healthy?
Yes, even young and healthy people should get the vaccine to avoid serious illness and health problems.
Does the COVID-19 vaccination cause infertility?
There is currently no evidence that the vaccine causes any problems with fertility (being able to have children) in women or men, but there is evidence that COVID-19 illness can impact fertility. The CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians have all stated that the vaccines should not be avoided by people who are seeking pregnancy both now, as well as in the future.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine impact menstruation?
The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause dangerous or permanent menstrual cycle changes.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
Available evidence suggests the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for most pregnant and breastfeeding women and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly recommends the vaccine for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. Please consult with your personal physician to determine if the vaccine is safe for you.
How do the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines work?
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are known as messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines that contain either weakened viruses or purified signature proteins of the virus, an mRNA vaccine contains a snippet of genetic instruction that directs your cells to make harmless copies of the viral protein in your body. These proteins then act like a “Wanted” poster, warning your immune system, “Hey, if you see something that looks just like this, it’s a big threat, so shut it down.” Your immune system responds by producing antibodies that can neutralize the real virus if you are ever infected.
How is the vaccine given?
The vaccine is given by injecting it into a muscle, usually in an arm or thigh.
How many doses are required?
For the Pfizer vaccine primary series in children 5 years and older, two doses are required, given 21 days apart. For children 6 months to 4 years three doses are required with the first two doses given 21 days apart and at least 2 months recommended between doses 2 and 3. For the Moderna vaccine 2 doses are required 28 days apart for children of all ages.
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Most people report no or mild side effects from dose 1 and more noticeable side effects after dose 2. Of those who experienced side effects, the most common include fatigue, headache, soreness at the site of injection or muscle/joint aches. Less than 2% of participants experienced a fever. Most people who experienced side effects said they went away after 48 hours.
What should I do if my child has a serious reaction to the vaccine (e.g., allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, etc.)?
If your child experiences a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis after receiving the vaccine you should seek medical care immediately or call 911. A severe allergic reaction can cause a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or a generalized rash or hives. These types of reactions are rare.
Wouldn't it be quicker and easier to have people get infected "naturally" to get to "herd immunity"?
No. Having uncontrolled, widespread community spread of COVID-19 would put your family and the entire community at serious risk. The health care system would be overwhelmed to the point that it could not take care of people with COVID-19 or those with any other health needs. Importantly, the risk of getting COVID-19 far outweighs any risk of the vaccine. Unfortunately, “natural immunity” does not last long; there are many cases of people who have already had COVID-19 twice. The best way to stop the pandemic is to follow safety guidelines and get the vaccine when it is your turn.
Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend COVID-19 booster shots for everyone age 5 and older when five months have passed since they first received the COVID-19 vaccine. For most kids and teens that means they should get a booster shot five months after their second vaccine dose.
Some people with weak immune systems needed three primary doses when they first received the vaccine. For them, a booster shot is recommended when three months have passed since they received the primary three-shot series (three months after their third vaccine dose).
Is my child eligible to get a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine?
Kids ages 6 months through 5 years are eligible if they received:
- the full (two-dose) Moderna vaccine series at least 2 months ago;
or, - the first two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least 2 months ago. The third dose of the Pfizer vaccine series will be replaced with this bivalent vaccine.
Older kids who are vaccinated can get a bivalent booster shot at least two months after being fully vaccinated or after having received an original booster (which only protected against one strain of the virus that causes COVID-19).
Are more booster shots recommended for immunocompromised patients?
Yes, a second booster shot is recommended for patients 12 and over with weak immune systems four months after the first booster. These would be the same kids who received a three-shot primary series, so this would be a fifth shot for them.
Parents take note: The CDC also says that people 50 years and older can get a second booster shot
What to do next?
If your child has a medical condition that required three COVID-19 shots and more than four months have passed since their first booster shot, please call to schedule a second booster shot. If you aren't sure if your child qualifies, please call their pediatrician to find out. If you are over 50 years old, please schedule your second booster shot with your doctor or pharmacy.
Learn More About the Vaccine
Help protect your family from COVID-19. Everyone who can get a COVID-19 vaccine should do so. The vaccines are safe and effective. Learn more from our experts at Nemours KidsHealth.
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine
Learn more about COVID-19 and the vacccine.
Allergy Concerns
If your child is avoiding COVID-19 vaccination due to a reaction to a medication or vaccine in the past, our Allergy Team can help. Please discuss a referral with your child's primary care provider.
Temporary Visitor Restrictions
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, we have implemented temporary visitor restrictions at all Nemours Children's locations.
Masks Are Required Inside Most Nemours Children’s Locations
Delaware Valley and Central Florida: Everyone ages 2 and older must wear an approved mask at all times while inside any Nemours Children's hospital or clinic, even if they are fully vaccinated.
- Masks must fit snugly around the nose and mouth, with no major gaps.
- The following are not permitted: masks and respirators with valves or vents, scarves, bandanas, masks with holes or tears, knitted masks and neck gaiters.
- If you do not have an approved mask, one will be provided to you.
Jacksonville and Pensacola: Masking is optional for patients and families in outpatient clinical settings.
Outpatient Primary Care, Urgent Care and Specialty Care:
- Two healthy caregivers are preferred. Siblings and other relatives are permitted, but families are asked to limit the number of people at patient visits.
- Parents and caregivers who feel sick or who do not pass the health screening during scheduling calls prior to the visit and/or at the facility's entrance will need to find a healthy caregiver to bring their child to their scheduled appointment. If parents are unable to find a healthy caregiver to accompany their child, please call us to reschedule the appointment. Depending on the reason for the visit, we may be able to reschedule the appointment as a telehealth visit.
Inpatient Admissions and Surgical Visits
NOTE: The Nemours Children's Visitor Policy applies only at our locations. Policies at our affiliated hospitals may be different. Read our full hospital visitation policy.
- We are asking families to name up to four healthy caregivers/relatives to be a patient’s approved visitors for the full hospital stay. Siblings may be included in the total count of visitors. Only two visitors may be at the patient's bedside at any given time.
- The designated caregivers will undergo a health screening upon arriving at the hospital entrance. After passing the screening, the designated caregivers may enter the building. Anyone who leaves the hospital will be screened again when they return.
- Designated caregivers who have symptoms of COVID-19, including fever or cough, shortness of breath or sore throat, will not be allowed in the hospital. Those who have had a positive COVID-19 test in the past 10 days or who have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days will also not be permitted entry. If you are sick, please stay home.
- For Perioperative Services and PACU, two healthy caregivers can be named but only one caregiver is permitted at the bedside; the second caregiver must remain in the Surgical Services or PACU waiting area.
Emergency Department Visits
- Only one healthy caregiver is preferred. Siblings and other relatives are permitted, but families are asked to limit the number of people accompanying the patient to avoid overcrowding.
Patient Transport
- One healthy parent or caregiver will be permitted to ride in the ambulance with the patient.
Please note that these guidelines are subject to change. Nemours Children’s continues to monitor the situation daily. We appreciate your help in protecting our patients, visitors and associates.
Help With Masking
Get tips (PDF) on helping your child get used to wearing a mask and discover two stories about masking written for kids.
Resources
The resources you need to protect your family from COVID-19 — all in one place.
Learn about the virus, ways to minimize the spread and how to protect yourself, your children and your community.
Learn More About COVID-19
We have a wealth of online resources to help you and your child learn about COVID-19 and how to stay safe during the pandemic at KidsHealth from Nemours . Check out our articles and videos for parents, kids and teens . We’re adding new information about COVID-19 and other health topics all the time, so check back often.
Nemours leaders have been asked to provide expertise and advice throughout the pandemic.
See what they're sharing.
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Parents and Teens
Nemour has partnered with ChristianaCare's Institute for Research on Equity and Community Health and the University of Delaware's Partnership for Healthy Communities to create educational materials for youth and families to learn about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Featuring local Delaware youth, families and health care providers of diverse backgrounds, these resources provide insight to help make an educated decision about the vaccine.
Pediatric Providers for COVID-19 Education
Have a Nemours Ambassador come talk to families about the COVID-19 vaccine at your vaccine clinic or event.
Reach out to External Affairs at communityengagement@nemours.org to schedule a provider for your next event.
Download Our Flyer (PDF)Teens and families talk with doctors about the COVID-19 vaccine
How do we feel now that we’re vaccinated?
How can I trust that the vaccine is safe?
More Videos
Families Talk: Why we got the COVID-19 vaccine
Families Talk: How do we feel now that we got the COVID-19 vaccine?
Families Talk: What was getting the COVID-19 vaccine like?
Families Talk: How do we talk to friends and family who are unsure about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Families Talk: How has the pandemic affected our family?
Teens Ask: How can I trust that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe?
Teens Talk: Why I got the COVID-19 vaccine?
Teens Ask: Do I need the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m young and healthy?
Teens Ask: How do I talk to friends and family who are unsure about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Teens Ask: What other things can I do to stay safe during the pandemic?
Teens Talk: How has the pandemic affected teens?
Teens Ask: Do I really need a booster?
Help with Masking
Get tips (PDF) on helping your child get used to wearing a mask and discover two stories about masking written for kids.
Additional Resources
Check out these helpful resources for more on COVID-19, and how to keep you and your family safe during this time.
- Learn More About the Coronavirus
- How to Clean Your Hands (Video)
- Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19 (Video)
- Taking Your Child’s Temperature (Video)
- Caring for Your Baby When You Have Coronavirus (Video)
Government Websites
- delaware.gov
- floridahealth.gov
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
COVID-19 FAQ
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