Updated July 5, 2022
The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines in children as young as 6 months of age. U-M Health is working to update our vaccine clinic procedures to reflect the CDC’s new recommendations for children age 6 months to 4 years. Vaccine appointment scheduling for children from 6 months through 4 years of age will open on the MyUofMHealth patient portal on Friday, July 8. Additional updates regarding availability and frequently asked questions about vaccines for children will be added to this website as they become available.
Children ages 5-11 who received their second dose of Pfizer vaccine more than 5 months ago are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster. Boosters for pediatric patients can be scheduled using the MyUofMHealth patient portal or by phone.
Visit our pediatric COVID-19 vaccine information page for the latest details.
Latest Information from Michigan Medicine
COVID-19 Vaccine Info
Get the latest info about how we are preparing to vaccinate children & adolescents.
Updated Visitor Guidelines
Find out about the most recent visitor guideline updates for our clinics and hospitals.
COVID-19 Patient Testing
Learn about COVID-19 testing for all patients with an upcoming surgery, procedure or admission.
COVID-19 Information and Updates for Our Patients
What is Novel Coronavirus COVID-19?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).
Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.
I think my child has coronavirus or COVID-19, what do I do?
If your child is experiencing life-threatening symptoms, please call 911.
Stay at home and away from others if your child is sick. In many cases, COVID-19 can be managed without emergency care. However, if your child’s symptoms are severe and you are in an emergency situation, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
COVID-19 Hotline:
The Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Hotline is available for established Michigan Medicine patients for questions about symptoms, home management, whether medical treatment is required and what specific steps you should follow to receive care or testing. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only for patients and employees of Michigan Medicine. Call the hotline at 734-763-6336.
E-Visits and Video Visits:
Michigan Medicine providers are expanding access to E-Visits and Video Visits to allow existing patients to be evaluated for symptoms of COVID-19.
COVID-19 testing:
If it is determined that your child should get tested for COVID-19, you may be directed to one of three curbside testing locations Michigan Medicine has set up. Please note that curbside testing is only available to patients with a referral from the Michigan Medicine hotline or a Michigan Medicine health provider.
Patient-Specific Guidelines for COVID-19
Many of our specialty clinics have developed COVID-19 guidelines for their patients with medical conditions. Visit our COVID-19 Patient-Specific Guidelines page to view these guidelines organized by category.
Should I be worried about the new multi-system inflammatory syndrome being reported in children and adolescents?
Read more about the new syndrome here
What if my child does not have a primary care physician?
How does COVID-19 spread?
- Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
- Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
- Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
What steps can I take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
- Adults and children over the age of 2 should wear a cloth face cover or mask to cover your mouth and nose when you’re out in public.
- Adults and children should wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. (Check out our video: "Wash Your Hands: Fight Germs with the University of Michigan Fight Song")
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Keep your child or other family members home if they are sick.
- If you haven’t done so, it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.
- Watch the video: "Wash Your Hands: Fight Germs with the University of Michigan Fight Song"
Visit our COVID-19 Patient-Specific Guidelines page to view or download information for patients with specific conditions or who are being treated at certain Michigan Medicine clinics. This page will be updated as we learn more about the disease.
My child was previously diagnosed with COVID and is still experiencing symptoms more than six months later. What can we do?
Pediatricians at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital are assisting children and families in coping with the long-term effects of COVID-19. A Post-COVID Syndrome Clinic was established to address the needs of these patients and to help with recovery. The Post-COVID Syndrome Clinic can also help assess and treat patients who have recovered from severe COVID or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
How is COVID-19 treated?
For more information, read Chloroquine, Ibuprofen and Beyond: Doctors Discuss Latest Treatments, and Treatment Rumors, For COVID-19 on the Michigan Medicine Health Lab blog.
What if my child has a specific medical condition?
Is my child at greater risk due to a medical condition?
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Lung disease
- Cancer
- People with compromised immune systems
People with compromised immune systems include those:
- With primary or acquired immunodeficiency
- On anti-rejection therapy following organ or bone marrow transplant
- On biologic therapeutic agents
- With malignant cancers or receiving or who have recently received chemotherapy
- Receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy, including corticosteroids equivalent to 20 mg a day of prednisone for 2 weeks or longer
If you are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, watch closely for symptoms and emergency warning signs. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Get medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, including:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Blue-colored lips or face
This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Visit our COVID-19 Patient-Specific Guidelines page to view or download information for patients with specific conditions or who are being treated at certain Michigan Medicine clinics. This page will be updated as we learn more about the disease.
Should my child(ren) play organized sports during the pandemic? What happens if they test positive for COVID-19?
What should I do about scheduled appointments?
Provider offices are contacting some patients to transition scheduled appointments to an E-Visit format, and some new appointment requests may also be scheduled as Video Visits.Contact your clinic with other questions about appointments, or visit our Virtual Care page to determine if an E-Visit or Video Visit could help you avoid the need to visit a clinic.
What can I do to help support Michigan Medicine's COVID-19 response?
COVID-19 Resources for Providers
- Recommendations for return-to-play (RTP) after a COVID-19 diagnosis (written detail)
- Recommendations for return-to-play (RTP) after a COVID-19 diagnosis (algorithm)
- Suggested gradual return-to-play (RTP) progression after a COVID-19 diagnosis (for PCPs)
- Suggested gradual return-to-play (RTP) progression after a COVID-19 diagnosis (handout for parents)
- June 2022: New Clinical Practice Guidelines for MIS-C
Making masks fun: Tips for helping your child wear a face mask
Getting kids used to seeing and wearing face masks can be challenging, but the proper use of face coverings is an important step we can all take to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2) that is causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note: The CDC has advised that children 2 years of age and younger should not wear a face mask.
In this video, experts from the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Child & Family Life team share tips for helping children cooperate with wearing face masks.
Download printable coloring pages
More Resources: 5 Ways to Get Young Kids to Wear Face Masks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Video Resources
To view other videos in the playlist, click on the playlist icon in the upper right of the video screen.
COVID-19 Health Information, Research and News
Sign up for email updates: Visit the COVID-19 Email Updates page to sign up to receive regular email updates from Michigan Medicine with news and resources about the coronavirus.
Read the latest stories and research information from our Michigan Health and Michigan Health Lab blogs and News Room.