FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JULY 1, 2021 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 33
health
Kids and the COVID-19 vaccine:
What should a parent know?
Th e 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 fi ght 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. Th e biggest things I want
parents to know are that this vaccine is
safe, eff ective 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+?
Th e FDA’s most recent EUA is specifically
for the Pfi zer-BioNTech COVID-
19 vaccine for children 12-15 years old.
Th is is currently the only COVID vaccine
authorized for people under 18.
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 diff erent
from adults’ and they can even vary at
diff erent ages. Vaccines are fully tested on
specifi c age groups for their unique stages
of development. EUAs are granted for
age groups only once the vaccines have
proved to be safe and eff ective. Multiple
federal partners are working together to
ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines are as
safe as possible.
Th e 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 signifi cant prior experience
working with other coronaviruses
such as SARS and MERS.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine impact
fertility?
Th ere 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 off ers 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. Th is is really because the
vaccine impacts the immune system, rather
than muscles, bones or fat, which are
what infl uence a person’s weight. As studies
continue on younger children, we may
fi nd that smaller doses are recommended
based on the needs and responses of their
immune systems.
Are side eff ects the same in kids and
adults?
Th e Pfi zer-BioNTech vaccine trials
showed that side eff ects observed in the
12-15 age group were generally consistent
with those in the 16-25-year-olds. Mild
side eff ects - 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?
Th ere is no out-of-pocket 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 notifi ed
when it’s their turn for the vaccine.
Will the COVID vaccine be required
for school in the fall?
Th is 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. Th is is certainly
something to watch closely as kids
and teens prepare for the new school year.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
