For Youth
COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization Update
The CDC recently approved COVID-19 booster doses for youth age 5-to-11-years old. Learn more about boosters and booster eligibility here.




If you need assistance locating a vaccination site or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children,
call the City of Chicago COVID-19 helpline at 312.746.4835.




Vaccine Information
Currently, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use in youth age 5-17. The vaccine is safe and effective for children, offered at no cost and widely available throughout the city.
- While using the same “formula” as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adults, the recommended dose for 5-to-11-year-olds is one-third the dose of adults. For more facts about COVID-19 vaccines for 5-to-11-year-olds, click here.
- Youth age 12-17 are recommended the same dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as adults.
- Youth age 5-17 are able to receive vaccination at any site offering Pfizer vaccine. If you need assistance locating a vaccination site, call 312.746.4835.
- At most vaccination locations, parents must accompany the child. Exceptions include CPS school-located vaccination clinics, school-based health centers, and some healthcare providers with signed consent forms from a parent or guardian.




Boosters
- Everyone age 5 and older should get a booster at least 5 months after completing their Pfizer vaccination series. Individuals age 5-17 years old can get a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster.
- Individuals 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second mRNA booster 4 months after their first booster dose.
- Learn more about boosters here.




Where to Get Vaccinated
Chicagoans age 12-17 are able to receive vaccination at any site offering Pfizer vaccine. If you need assistance locating a vaccination site, call 312.746.4835.
There are a number of ways for families to get their children age 5-11 vaccinated against COVID-19, including at pediatricians’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, community health centers, community events, and dedicated CPS and CDPH-hosted clinics.
- CDPH recommends families first reach out to their medical home to see if appointments are available.
- You can also search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you. Vaccines.gov is a free, online service where users can search for pharmacies and providers that offer vaccination. Information about where COVID-19 vaccines are available is provided directly by pharmacies and providers, in collaboration with states, and is updated daily.
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Additionally, there are many community health centers that accept walk-ins and have family friendly hours. Check out their websites for exact times and locations.
Community Health Center |
Website |
Walk-ins |
Access Community Health Network |
NO walk-ins allowed |
|
Alivio Medical Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Asian Human Services Family Health Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Beloved Community Family Wellness Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Chicago Family Health Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Christian Community Health Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Erie Family Health Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Esperanza Health Centers |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Friend Health |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Heartland Health Centers |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Lawndale Christian Health Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
Mile Square Health Center (UIC) |
https://hospital.uillinois.edu/patients-and-visitors/mile-square-federally-qualified-health-center |
Walk-ins allowed |
Nearth North Health Services Corporation |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
PCC Wellness Center |
Walk-ins allowed |
|
TCA Health Inc. |
Walk-ins allowed |
The District will offer a number of opportunities for students to get vaccinated – visit cps.edu/COVID for details. This will include:
- Four Regional Vaccination Clinics at CVCA, Roosevelt, Clark, and Richards High Schools
- Mobile vaccination units
- School-based health centers
All 5-to-11-year-olds, as well as anyone 12 and over receiving their primary vaccination series, will be eligible for a $100 incentive while receiving their vaccine at a CPS-hosted clinic or event.
The following pharmacies are confirmed to offer vaccination to invididuals over the age of 12:
The following pharmacy locations will be provided vaccines for children age 5-11 in the first one-to-two weeks after approval and each has their own registration processes (included below):
- Walgreens: Register online, call your local Walgreens or 1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733)
- CVS: Register online, call your local CVS or 1-800-679-9691
- Mariano's: Register online
- Walmart: Call 833-886-0023, Option 1
- Chicago Costco Pharmacies: Register online for an appointment or call a pharmacy directly
Select children’s hospitals will host pediatric vaccine events – check hospital websites for dates and more information.
Hospital |
Requirements |
Walk-ins |
Registration |
Additional Information |
Bernard Mitchell |
Patients and Non Patients |
Walk-ins accepted |
Time: 8 a.m - 3 p.m Location: 5815 S. Maryland Ave |
|
Comer Children’s Hospital |
Patients, Non-Patients, and Family Members |
NO walk-ins allowed |
Call 773-834-8221 (UCM COVID hotline) to pre-register. |
Both Flu and COVID-19 vaccines available. COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost but there are charges associated with flu vaccines if uninsured. |
Lurie Children’s Hospital |
Patients, Non-Patients, and Family Members |
NO walk-ins allowed |
First clinic scheduled on November 5th. Vaccine for adolescent and adult family members will be available. Appointment dates are on Fridays, 1 – 7 p.m., and Saturdays/Sundays, 8– 4 p.m. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago 225 E. Chicago Avenue, 11th floor conference center Chicago, Illinois 60611. |
|
St. Anthony’s Hospital |
Patients and Non-Patients |
N/A |
To register for an appointment, call 773-484-1000. |
Large event open to patients and non-patients Location: SAH Community Clinic @ Little Village; 2059 West 26th St Time: November 7th, 8:30am-1:30pm Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. |
St Bernard Hospital |
Patients and Non Patients |
Walk-ins accepted |
Time: 9 a.m - 5 p.m Location: 6307 S Steward Ave 3rd floor |
|
Roseland Community Hospital |
Patients and Non Patients |
Walk-ins accepted |
Time: 8 a.m -4 p.m Location: 45 W 111th St |
|
Rush University Medical Center |
Patients and Employees |
N/A |
N/A |
Rush University Medical Center will start vaccinating patients at special pediatric COVID vaccination clinics the week of November 8th. Patients should also look out for invitations to these clinics through MyChart. Check https://www.rush.edu/patients-visitors/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccines/schedule-covid-19-vaccination. |
Swedish Hospital |
Patients and Non-Patients |
Walk-ins accepted
|
Register for an appointment online or call 773-907-7700.
|
Time: 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday
Location: Anderson Pavilion Auditorium
2751 W. Winona St.,
Chicago, IL 60625 |
All CDPH-sponsored community events as well as Protect Chicago At-Home appointments offer vaccinations for youth age 5-17.




FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You may have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. Here are answers to common questions, but we encourage you talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccine and your family.
While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, can get sick from COVID-19, and can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your children and those around them from COVID-19.
Clinical trials, with thousands of volunteers, showed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and effective for children age 5 and up. As with all COVID-19 vaccines, every study, every phase, and every trial to determine the vaccine is safe for children was reviewed by the FDA and a vaccine safety group. The CDC continues to monitor the vaccine for safety. They have identified no concerns about long term impacts. There is no evidence that the vaccine impacts puberty or reproductive development in any way.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only vaccine approved for youth age 5-17.
No. The COVID-19 vaccines were created quickly, but scientists have been working on this technology for 10+ years. Scientists all over the world worked together and shared information – in a way that has never been seen before – to address the COVID-19 crisis and create these vaccines.
The vaccine studies, including those for youth, had thousands of volunteers and showed that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for those age 5 and up. The CDC continues to monitor the vaccine for safety.
Since April 2021, there have been less than one thousand confirmed reports of cases of inflammation of the heart – called myocarditis and pericarditis – happening after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination for people under 30. These reports are rare given the hundreds of millions of vaccine doses administered.
CDC and its partners are actively monitoring these reports, by reviewing data and medical records, to learn more about what happened and to see if there is any relationship to COVID-19 vaccination. Most patients who received care responded well treatment and rest and quickly felt better. Cases of myocarditis or pericarditis have been predominantly in males age 12-29 years. Symptoms (including chest pain, pressure, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing after exercise or when lying down) typically develop within a few days after receipt of the second dose of vaccine.
CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 5 years of age and older, given the greater risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly severe complications. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about myocarditis.
The CDC continues to monitor the COVID-19 vaccine for safety. They have identified no concerns about long term impacts. There is no evidence that the vaccine impacts puberty or reproductive development in any way.
Vaccines prevent disease by helping your body form a “memory” of it, so if you were ever exposed to the virus, your body would know how to fight it.
Things to know about the Pfizer mRNA vaccine:
- mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. They CANNOT give someone COVID-19.
- mRNA vaccines DO NOT affect or interact with our DNA in any way.
We get it. Getting a shot is no fun. However, the protecting your child and the people around them from COVID-19 is worth it. Find tips on getting through the needlestick here.
There may be some temporary side effects, like soreness at the injection site, feeling tired, or having a headache. All are signs that the body is building protection for COVID-19.
For additional information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.



