Now that children aged 12 to 17 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, parents may have questions. Here are some points to consider. Currently, the FDA has only approved the Pfizer vaccine, although it might approve the Modern and Johnson & Johnson versions in the coming months. Children from ages 2 to 11 could be allowed to get the vaccine this fall. So far, adolescents have shown similar side effects to adults. In general, it’s possible kids could have more severe side effects, as they have stronger immune systems than adults. And given the nature of the mRNA vaccine, researchers have not seen any effects on the growth and development of children, and they don’t expect any. If you still don’t know if you should get your kids vaccinated, talk to your pediatrician or family doctor.