Health

COVID Vaccine for Kids Ages 5 to 11: Top Questions Answered


The CDC on Tuesday gave the green gentle for this age group to get a Pfizer shot, which marks the primary COVID-19 vaccine accessible for kids beneath 12 years outdated. All People ages 5 and up at the moment are vaccine-eligible.

Youngsters will obtain two Pfizer photographs at one-third of an grownup dose, 3 weeks aside. One necessary factor to notice: Since you’re not thought of absolutely vaccinated till 2 weeks after your second shot, kids who get their vaccines now will nonetheless not have full safety by Thanksgiving.

Pfizer research present its vaccine is 90.7% effective in stopping COVID-19. Not one of the kids ages 5 to 11 who have been studied have had any critical facet effects, in keeping with Pfizer data posted by the FDA.

The U.S. has sufficient vaccine provide for all 28 million kids now eligible, according to the White Home.

All COVID-19 vaccines are freed from cost.

“Mother and father ought to really feel comforted not simply that their kids can be protected, however that this vaccine has gone via the mandatory and rigorous analysis that ensures the vaccine is secure and extremely efficient,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, mentioned at a latest information convention.

How Quickly Can My Baby Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Many pediatricians have already pre-ordered the vaccine and can probably have it able to go, says Sara “Sally” Goza, MD, a pediatrician in Fayetteville, GA, and rapid previous president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

However it’ll nonetheless in all probability fluctuate by website, in keeping with Andrew Pavia, MD, a pediatric infectious illness skilled on the College of Utah Well being and Intermountain Major Youngsters’s Hospital.

“Bigger clinics and children’s hospitals can be within the first group to be prepared to offer the vaccine,” he says.

Varied different COVID-19 vaccination sites stand able to distribute the brand new children’s vaccine as effectively.

Viral Options, a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination and testing website with places throughout Georgia, says it might give kids ages 5 to 11 COVID-19 photographs as early as Thursday.

Will My Baby’s Pediatrician Have the Vaccine?

It is a good suggestion to name your youngster’s doctor to see if they’ve COVID-19 vaccines for youthful kids, Goza says.

“I believe that’s actually the place pediatricians will are available in — speaking in regards to the vaccine, getting parents extra comfortable in regards to the vaccine, after which having the ability to give the vaccine,” she says.

However not all pediatricians could have vaccines immediately, because the Pfizer shot requires particular refrigeration, to not point out that pediatrics places of work are sometimes busy this time of 12 months anyway.

The pharmacy is one other nice choice, says Eric Ascher, DO, a household medication physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York Metropolis.

“Pharmacists are well-trained in vaccine administration,” he says.

“They’re additionally well-trained if within the very uncommon occasion one thing occurs. The truth is, within the hospital, when a affected person has a medication or vaccine side impact, the pharmacy group is the primary group bedside, alongside the doctor, to assist deal with the affected person.”

If dad and mom are hesitant to take their 5- to 11-year-old to a pharmacy to get a COVID-19 vaccine, they need to elevate any questions or issues with their pharmacist, says Danielle M. Zerr, MD, division chief of pediatric infectious illness on the College of Washington..

“What’s key’s the vaccinator’s experience in administering vaccines to kids,” she says. “This can be a query that folks can ask of the pharmacy.”

Will the Physician’s Workplace Be Crowded With Children Getting COVID-19 Photographs?

It may very well be difficult for some pediatricians’ places of work to maintain up with the demand for COVID-19 photographs, particularly with kids and households coming in for other providers, in keeping with Pavia.

“They’re additionally giving catch-up doses of other vaccines for kids who missed appointments throughout earlier phases of the pandemic, and could also be coping with employees shortages,” he says.

“In case your pediatrician is not going to be giving the vaccine for just a few weeks, you might need to go to a pharmacy.”

Mother and father may ask their physician for recommendations on the place to take their 5- to 11-year-old to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Goza says.

“If pediatricians usually are not going to have the ability to provide it of their workplace, they’re going to know the place dad and mom can get it,” she says.

It’s additionally attainable that some practices might provide particular vaccine clinics to assist meet the demand for the brand new kids’s COVID-19 vaccines, Zerr says.

But when your pediatrician’s workplace does have COVID-19 vaccines for teenagers ages 5 to 11, it’s a wise thought to get them in to see the physician, says Ascher.

“I believe this can be a really welcomed request and can enable a beautiful alternative for major care suppliers and pediatricians to catch kids up on different age-appropriate needs,” he says.

How Will I Know if My Baby Is Having Critical Aspect Results?

“If the kid complains of chest pain or shortness of breath, or your youngster doesn’t seem the way in which they usually would, name your pediatrician,” Ascher says.

COVID-19 vaccine unintended effects for teenagers ages 5 to 11 will probably be comparable, if not milder, than these seen in adults, in keeping with Pavia.

“Sore arms are quite common,” he says. “Some kids could expertise fatigue, chills, muscle aches, or fever. These unintended effects have been considerably much less frequent in kids 5 to 11 years outdated than in teenagers and younger adults.”

“Most frequently, these unintended effects final lower than 24 hours, however could final a bit longer,” he says.

General, dad and mom ought to belief their instincts, says Zerr.

“If you’re anxious, name your youngster’s major care supplier,” she says. “Additionally, the CDC has some useful info here.”

The CDC additionally has a free smartphone software, known as V-SAFE, that provides you personalised well being check-ins after getting vaccinated and allows you to inform the CDC of any symptoms you’re having.

Primarily based in your solutions, the CDC might provide you with a name with info on subsequent steps you would take to handle your issues.

Youngsters Ages 5 to 11 Differ Drastically in Dimension; Why Is This Age Group So Huge?

Vaccine doses are based mostly on age and the physique’s maturity to develop a robust immune response vs. physique dimension, Ascher says.

“The vaccine trials addressed vaccine doses throughout many ages to find out which is the most secure dose with the most important immune response, with the least quantity of unintended effects,” he says.

In the event you’d like extra info on COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11, you’ll be able to contact your doctor or different well being care suppliers. You may as well try the CDC and U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies web sites for updates.



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