Preparing Children and Teens for Vaccination

For children and teens, the experience of getting a COVID-19 vaccine will be very similar to the experience of getting routine vaccines.

Talk to your child before vaccination about what to expect.

It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.

Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child may have.

To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, your child should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.

After your child’s COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 15–30 minutes so your child can be observed in case they have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.

School Testing for COVID-19

Many schools are offering free, regular COVID-19 testing for students and staff. Regular testing means that testing is offered to everyone on a routine basis, even if they don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.

School-based testing helps protect students, staff, and family members. It also protects those who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines or are otherwise at risk for getting seriously sick from COVID-19.

Opting into school COVID-19 testing programs can help keep students in the classroom and doing the school activities they enjoy, safely.

Schools do not need to require a negative test result for students, teachers, and staff to return to school after breaks. Students, teachers, and staff who travel during breaks should follow CDC testing recommendations for domestic and international travel.

Travel

Delay travel until you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).

Do not travel if you are sick, tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t ended isolation, had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and haven’t ended quarantine, or are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.

If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

It’s easy to check your county’s level of COVID-19. CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Levels tool helps you and your community make decisions to help limit severe disease and reduce strain on hospitals and healthcare systems.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

March 7, 2022

US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 79,094,974 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.