COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children

In June, the CDC recommended that all children ages 6 months and older receive COVID-19 vaccinations to protect them against serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. The Cambridge Public Health Department strongly encourages parents and caregivers to learn about COVID-19 vaccines and bring their child(ren) to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccines are recommended even for children who have already had COVID-19, since prior infection does not protect against new variants. COVID-19 infections have caused serious illness, hospitalization, and, in rare instances, death among young healthy children who had no underlying medical conditions. Vaccines can help protect your child.

Many pediatricians' offices offer COVID-19 vaccinations. Your child’s doctor’s office is the ideal place to get your vaccine questions answered and have your child vaccinated. Most babies see their pediatrician up to a dozen times by their second birthday for routine physical exams, developmental screenings and immunizations. Parents and caregivers can use these appointments to learn more about why COVID-19 vaccines are so important for children.

Where to Get Children Vaccinated

Pediatricians’ Offices

• Contact your child's pediatrician to make an appointment.

Search for locations

• Visit vaxfinder.mass.gov.

• This website allows you to search by zip code and shows which ages are eligible for vaccines at the various locations. Vaccines are available at many pharmacies, community health centers, and hospitals.  

Cambridge Health Alliance

• Primary care appointment for patients (age 6 months and older)

• CHA Cambridge Hospital Pharmacy (age 3 and older, open to the public, walk-ins)

• East Cambridge Care Center Pharmacy (age 3 and older, open to the public, walk-ins)

• Click here for pharmacy addresses and hours.

• Learn more: www.challiance.org

Boston Medical Center (several locations)

• Age 6 months and older, open to the public

• To make an appointment and for information about walk-in options, visit www.bmc.org/covid-19-vaccine-locations

Tufts Medical Center COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine, and Booster Clinic, 276 Tremont Street, Boston

• Age 6 months and older, open to the public

• Walk-ins, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• More information here

Retail Pharmacies

Pharmacy locations differ in the types of vaccines they offer and which ages are eligible to be vaccinated. 

CVS: Make an appointment at CVS.

Most CVS locations offer vaccines for individuals 5 and older.  

CVS locations with a Minute Clinic also offer vaccines for children 6 months and older. In Cambridge, Minute Clinics are located in the following CVS stores:

• CVS, 6 JFK Street (Harvard Square)

• CVS, 36 White Street (Porter Square)

• CVS, 215 Alewife Brook Parkway

Walgreens: Make an appointment at Walgreen's.

Walgreens locations offer vaccines for individuals 3 and older.

Several health systems offer pediatric vaccines by appointment for their patients:

Boston Children’s Hospital

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

Mass General Brigham

Mount Auburn Hospital

Questions?

If you have questions or concerns about vaccines for children, talk to your child’s pediatrician.  

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination for children, visit the CDC website.