Why is it a shot? Kids’ questions about COVID vaccines

<p>On October 26th, an FDA advisory panel will meet to discuss whether or not to recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. With potential approval coming soon, we’re answering questions from kids and parents about the vaccine, including: Why does it have to be a shot? How do vaccines work? How does a vaccine trial work? Should an 11.5yo get the shot as soon as it’s available or wait until age 12 to get the larger dose?</p> <p>We speak with Sofia and Nico Chavez and their parents. The kids took part in the vaccine trial at Stanford University. We’re also joined by Dr. Jenna Bollyky, an investigator in the Stanford trial site, and Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont’s Health Commissioner. </p> <p>Download our learning guides: <a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/92/8b/1fd4778e4c8da18ab734ac76a7c1/why-is-it-a-shot-kids-questions-about-covid-vaccines.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PDF</a> | <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jQAalrBkj3C8nL3Fher2Bjs6GNNKLnim9nFjfIrjNzY/copy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Slides</a> | <a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/15/58/70a05d0a4cee97c67b084c0531ce/but-why-165-mrna-transcript.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Transcript</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.chla.org/blog/rn-remedies/ouch-prepare-your-child-shots" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Strategies to prepare kids for shots</a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vaccine Info from the CDC</a>. </p> <blockquote> <p>“Why do they have to use needles for shots?”  - Nina, 6, Maryland</p> </blockquote> <p>“In general, vaccines are a way to train your immune system without having to get sick,’ explains Dr. Bollyky</p> <p>Your immune system is how your body works to fight off sickness from things like viruses.</p> <p>Most vaccines use a small protein from the virus you want to fight, or from a similar virus – and they put that little protein in your body in a very small and weakened o