Most of what we know is not specific to people with autism, with a few exceptions. For example, autistic people who live in residential settings with many other people, which we call congregate facilities, are more likely to contract COVID, much like older people in nursing homes. But also, people with autism have higher rates of underlying health conditions, and those conditions put them at risk for severe disease if they get COVID. People with behavioral or developmental conditions like autism may have other difficulties with preventive measures and communication. Some states have found people with intellectual disabilities, some of whom also have autism, may have a greater risk of dying from COVID if they become infected. And, for people who need direct support, that also comes with greater exposure risk because service providers often see multiple people in a day; or a week and close contact is unavoidable. All of these are reasons it is critical to get one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines as soon as you are able.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can lower your risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccines can also help prevent serious illness and death. All steps have been taken to ensure that vaccines are safe and effective for people ages 6 months and older. If you already had COVID-19, you should still get a COVID-19 vaccine for added protection. Getting sick with COVID-19 can cause severe illness or death, even in children, and we can’t reliably predict who will have a mild or severe illness. You may have long-term health issues after COVID-19 infection. Even people who do not have symptoms when they are initially infected can have these ongoing health problems. People who are sick with COVID-19 may spread COVID-19 to others including friends and family who are not eligible for vaccination and people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Some people have side effects from the vaccine, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. These side effects may affect their ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects, and allergic reactions are rare. Common side effects include pain, redness, and swelling on the arm you got the shot. Some other common side effects are fever, tiredness, headache, body ache, chills, and at times nausea. Severe allergic reactions after a COVID-19 vaccine are rare.

Children can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit.

Talk to a doctor about taking over the- counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin (only for people ages 18 years or older), or antihistamines for any pain and discomfort experienced after getting vaccinated. People can take these medications to relieve side effects after vaccination if they have no other medical reasons that prevent them from taking these medications normally. Ask your child’s healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child after vaccination. Also, to reduce pain and discomfort where the shot was given apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth to the area. Use or exercise your arm to work out the soreness. To reduce discomfort from fever drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.

Many childhood vaccines are given as a series of two, three, or more doses spaced apart. Pediatricians call this the “primary series” of vaccine doses—the doses needed to build up your child’s immunity. Some vaccinations require a booster dose. And the influenza vaccine, for example, is given every year to protect us from new and different strains.

For COVID vaccines, the dose size depends on their age, with babies and young children aged 6 months to 5 years getting a smaller dose than kids aged 5 through 11 or kids aged 12 and older. Additional primary series and booster doses are recommended for some children and teens with certain medical conditions or taking medicines that weaken the immune system.

The CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their ages group:

• Children ages 6 months to 4 years who completed the Moderna 2-dose primary series at least 2 months ago are recommended to receive a Moderna updated (bivalent) booster. If your child has completed their 2-dose Moderna primary series, they are up to date immediately after receiving one Moderna updated (bivalent) booster. No booster is recommended for children who completed the 3-dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. If your child has not completed their 3-dose Pfizer primary series, they should get an updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the third dose in their primary series. If your child has completed their 3-dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, then they are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines two weeks after their final dose.

• Ages 5 years and older should get all primary series doses, and updated COVID-19 boosters if eligible.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.

Use CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when you can get boosters to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

To view the source of this information and a helpful chart, visit healthychildren.org.

The CDC also offers a quiz to help you determine when you or your child will need a booster

Self-tests for COVID-19 give rapid results and can be taken anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms.

• They detect currentinfection and are sometimes also called “home tests,” “at-home tests,” or “over-the-counter (OTC) tests.”

• They give your result in a few minutesand are different from laboratory-based tests that may take days to return your result.

• Self-tests along with vaccination, wearing a well-fitted mask, and physical distancing, help protect you and othersby reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.

• Self-tests do not detect antibodies which would suggest a previous infection and they do not measure your level of immunity.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms: test immediately.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19: test at least 5 days after your exposure.

If you test negative for COVID-19, consider testing again 1 to 2 days after your first test if you are going to an indoor event or a gathering. Test immediately before the gathering, or as close to the time of the event as possible.

This is especially important before gathering with individuals at risk of severe disease, older adults, those who are immunocompromised, or people who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, including children who cannot get vaccinated yet.