Doctors—and moms—answer your questions about the COVID vaccine for kids | Point of Blue
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This put up was initially printed in October, 2021. As of June 2022, the CDC recommends all children ages six months and up get vaccinated towards COVID-19. In a unanimous vote by each the FDA and CDC advisory panels, the vaccines have been licensed to assist shield very younger kids from the virus.
For extra on the vaccines, visit the CDC’s website.
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Over the previous yr, lots of of thousands and thousands of individuals 12 and older have been safely vaccinated towards COVID-19. Now we’ve reached one other long-awaited pandemic milestone: the approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds.
That is enormous information for fogeys of younger youngsters, particularly as we navigate the return to in-person studying and actions. In current months, the CDC has proven an uptick in the number of kids getting COVID-19.1
The vaccine gives many mother and father hope and peace of thoughts. It’s safe and efficient on this age group.2
When you have questions concerning the vaccine, our physicians (who’re additionally mothers of younger youngsters) are right here to assist.
Are there any dangers?
The primary threat of vaccination is gentle unwanted effects.
Dr. Kristi Edwards, who was a pediatrician for 13 years earlier than becoming a member of Blue Cross and Blue Protect of North Carolina, plans to get her 9-year-old son vaccinated as quickly as doable. She expects that he could expertise soreness, tiredness, and different indicators that the vaccine is working.
“There are dangers with any vaccine, the most typical of that are gentle unwanted effects because the vaccine does its job,” she stated. “Any threat of extreme unwanted effects is drastically outweighed by the danger of getting COVID.”
Possible side effects of the Pfizer vaccine are comparable in kids and adults. They embody:3
- Ache, redness, and swelling within the arm the place you bought the shot
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Fever
These unwanted effects are regular and may go away inside just a few days.
In accordance with the CDC, the identified dangers of COVID-19 sickness and its issues, resembling long-term well being issues, far outweigh the potential dangers of getting a uncommon antagonistic response to vaccination.4
Dr. Anuradha Rao-Patel, whose 16-year-old son is already vaccinated and whose youngest she is going to vaccinate “with none hesitation,” stated she’s assured within the vaccine’s security profile.
“The FDA and the CDC take vaccine security precautions very critically,” she stated. “They monitor the vaccines fastidiously for any indicators of questions of safety. I’d encourage mother and father to speak with their little one’s physician to debate particular person dangers and advantages.”
In case your little one has had an allergic response to any of the vaccine’s elements prior to now, or when you’ve got another considerations, speak to your little one’s physician.
Is your child afraid of needles? Read: Five tips to cope with needle phobia
