Kids and the COVID vaccine: What should a parent know?
TIMESLEDGER | Q 26 NS.COM | JULY 2-JULY 8, 2021
How do we know it’s
safe?
Before the FDA
grants an EUA, vaccines
go through a rigorous
series of trials.
Children’s immune systems
are different from
adults’ and they can
even vary at different
ages. Vaccines are fully
tested on specific age
groups for their unique
stages of development.
EUAs are granted for
age groups only once
the vaccines have
proved to be safe and effective.
Multiple federal
partners are working
together to ensure that
the COVID-19 vaccines
are as safe as possible.
The COVID-19 vaccines
were developed
rapidly not because
corners were cut, but
because they were
a top priority and,
thankfully, research
on a COVID-19 vaccine
didn’t have to start
from scratch. Scientists
have significant prior
experience working
with other coronaviruses
such as SARS and
MERS.
Will the COVID-19
vaccine impact
fertility?
There is no evidence
that any COVID-19 vaccine
causes fertility
problems. In fact, many
professional organizations
support and encourage
women who are
interested in becoming
pregnant to get a COVID
19 vaccine since it
offers great protection.
Is the COVID vaccine
dose for adolescents
the same as for adults?
Yes. For the groups
approved thus far, the
same dose is given no
matter the person’s age
or size. This is really
because the vaccine
impacts the immune
system, rather than
muscles, bones or fat,
which are what influence
a person’s weight.
As studies continue on
younger children, we
may find that smaller
doses are recommended
based on the needs and
responses of their immune
systems.
Are side effects the
same in kids and
adults?
The Pfizer-BioNTech
vaccine trials
showed that side effects
observed in the
12-15 age group were
generally consistent
with those in the
16-25-year-olds. Mild
side effects - such as
arm pain, fatigue,
headaches, muscle
aches, chills and fever
- are a sign the body
is building protection.
While they can be annoying,
they should go
away in a couple days.
How much does the
COVID vaccine cost?
There is no out-ofpocket
cost for the COVID
vaccine, no matter
where you receive it.
Vaccine administration
fees are covered by
insurance, Medicaid,
Medicare or the federal
government for individuals
without insurance.
Where can kids 12
and up get the COVID
vaccine?
Many health care
providers and pharmacies
are providing
the COVID-19 vaccine.
Contact your child’s pediatrician
or primary
care provider for information
about availability,
or register with
your state’s health department
to be notified
when it’s their turn for
the vaccine.
Will the COVID vaccine
be required for school
in the fall?
This decision will
be up to the individual
school districts. For
the upcoming school
year, it will likely be
encouraged rather than
required for the authorized
age groups. Some
colleges and universities,
on the other hand,
have implemented a COVID
vaccine requirement
for the 2021-22
academic year. This is
certainly something to
watch closely as kids
and teens prepare for
the new school year.
—Courtesy of BPT
The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration
has granted
an Emergency
Use Authorization allowing
adolescents ages
12-15 to get the COVID
vaccine - another giant
leap forward in the
fight against this coronavirus.
Your 12-year-old is
eligible for the COVID
vaccine! Here’s what a
pediatric epidemiologist
wants you to know.
“We’re elated to be
able to protect more
people from COVID-19
through vaccination.
We understand that
parents may have questions
before signing
their kids up for the
vaccine and we’re always
happy to answer
those questions and
arm families with the
information they need
to feel comfortable.
The biggest things I
want parents to know
are that this vaccine is
safe, effective and our
best shot at beating COVID
19,” said Dr. Emily
Godbout, epidemiologist
and infectious
diseases specialist at
Children’s Hospital of
Richmond at VCU.
Dr. Godbout answers
some of the most common
questions parents
have about the COVID
19 vaccine for adolescents.
Which vaccine is
available for kids ages
12+?
The FDA’s most recent
EUA is specifically for
the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID
19 vaccine for children
12-15 years old. This
is currently the only COVID
vaccine authorized
for people under 18.
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/NS.COM
