The U.S. FDA authorized the Pfizer pediatric vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), meaning the vaccine was proven safe and effective for this age group. Commonly reported side effects in the clinical trial included injection site pain (sore arm), redness and swelling, fatigue, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and decreased appetite. More children reported side effects after the second dose than after the first dose. Side effects were generally mild to moderate in severity and occurred within two days after vaccination, and most went away within one to two days.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine side effects in children and teens.