COVID 19 Vaccine - What Parents Have Asked Us
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recently expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to adolescents ages 12 – 15. This means the FDA and the CDC determined that clinical trials show this vaccine is safe and effective for kids in this age range.
Current safety and efficacy testing of the vaccines for children ages 2 and up may lead to authorization of one or more of the COVID-19 vaccines for younger kids in the months ahead.
2. Should my child get vaccinated for COVID-19?
COVID 19 in children is usually milder than in adults; however, some kids can get very sick and have complications or long-lasting symptoms that affect their health and well-being. The virus can cause death in children although this is rarer than for adults.
Like adults, children also can transmit the coronavirus to others if they’re infected, even when no symptoms are present. The COVID-19 vaccine protects against this potential harm to the child and others, including family members and friends who may be susceptible.
Lastly, the COVID - 19 vaccine is the shortest and safest way to keep summer camps open safely and to ensure the schools will stay open next fall.
3. What about the side effects on my child? What if I’m pregnant? What if I’m breastfeeding? How about infertility risks?
Most teens/preteens have shown minor side effects in trials. These included sore arms, headaches, body aches, fevers and chills, lasting 24 hours or less. These are far less serious than the effects of a serious infection.
While the initial trials on adults have not included pregnant women, the subsequent vaccination experience did not show any harmful effects on the fetus/newborn or on the nursing infant.
More details on the effects on pregnancy/fertility can be found here.
4. I have more questions about the vaccine, where can I find answers?
Here’s a good start. If the answers are not found here, please call our office and ask to speak with one of the health care professionals. We are here to help you and your child in any way we can.