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.

Becoming infected with COVID-19 is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.

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:

• unvaccinated children: two doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are given. The second dose is given 1 month after the first dose.

• 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.

• 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:

• unvaccinated children: a single dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

• 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

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:

• any allergies;

• inflammation in or around your heart (myocarditis or pericarditis);

• a fever;

• bleeding problems or taking a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

• a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicine;

• pregnant or breastfeeding;

• received any other COVID-19 vaccine or if your child is scheduled to receive a vaccine; or

• 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.

Contact your vaccination provider or health department if your child misses a dose.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

Avoid receiving other vaccines without first seeking medical advice.