Question:
I heard that COVID-19 vaccines have caused death in children. Is this true?
Answer:
The pediatric COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were shown to be safe for children in clinical trials. We also have real-world data as millions of children have safely received the pediatric mRNA vaccines. Vaccine safety monitoring shows that:
- The mRNA pediatric vaccines are safe.
- Side effects are mostly mild.
- Serious side effects are rare.
While there have been reports of death in children following COVID-19 vaccination in the US, there is no evidence that the vaccine caused the deaths.
- A vaccine’s safety is continuously monitored after approval through the reporting of adverse events (an adverse event is an unexpected medical event that happens after vaccination that may or may not have been caused by the vaccine).
- A report of a death or other adverse event following vaccination does not mean that the vaccine caused it.
- All reports of adverse events are investigated to determine if the event was caused by the vaccine or by something else that happened around the same time the vaccine was given.
- The reporting of adverse events helps keep vaccines safe and helps ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh any risks.
- For a vaccination program to continue, the benefits of the vaccine must outweigh any known or potential risks.
Date last reviewed:
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023