Children can contract, transmit, and suffer the long-term health outcomes of Covid just as adults can. Unvaccinated children are especially at risk of complications at the time of infection — including a life-threatening “hyper-inflammatory” state called MIS-C — so vaccination remains an essential part of keeping kids safe through the waves of transmission and new variants.

Unfortunately, even after vaccination, kids remain vulnerable to Long Covid symptoms and organ damage. But kids frequently lack the language to explain what’s wrong and get the support of doctors, peers, and even parents. Understanding the impact of Long Covid on kids (and how their symptoms may differ from those seen in adults) is essential to protecting their health today and in the future.