DOCTOR IS IN by Dr. Adil Manzoor OP/ED
The COVID vaccine is now available for children between 12 and 17 – that’s no longer news. But, as with most things about the coronavirus vaccine, there is a cloud of skepticism about children getting vaccinated. Some parents, for various reasons, just don’t believe the vaccine is safe enough.
I wouldn’t dare chastise them, though. In fact, I am happy parents will ensure their kids take only the safest possible medicines. But, by answering some of the frequently asked questions about the vaccine in kids, I hope to dispel the fears about the vaccine’s safety.
Can my child get the vaccine?
Yes, if your child is over 12 years old. Studies are still ongoing in younger kids. Approval for 5-11 years old is near and I suspect it’ll happen within a couple of weeks.
Why should my child get the vaccine if children are low-risk?
Children are indeed low-risk. Transmission of the virus through children isn’t as smooth as with adults, and when they do get the virus, the resulting conditions and symptoms are not as serious. But they can still get the virus. They can still spread the virus. They can still be hospitalized from the virus. And, worst of all, they can still die from the virus, especially with the emergence of new strains. This is more than enough reason for them to get the vaccine. Some risks just aren’t worth taking.
Is the vaccine safe for children?
Yes, the vaccine is safe for children, which is why it was approved in the first place. The reason it took so long for the vaccine to be approved in children below 18 because the CDC wanted to be sure it was safe. They couldn’t afford to take chances, and they didn’t. Enough studies and clinical trials were conducted to ensure the safety of the vaccine.
What vaccine should my child get?
Right now, only the Pfizer-BioTech vaccine is available for children between 12 and 17 years. But you can be sure other companies will come up with their pediatric versions soon enough.
Can my child handle the vaccine?
This is one of the more worrying areas for parents. They tend to believe their kids cannot handle the vaccine because they don’t have a fully developed immune system. Although children don’t have a fully developed immune system, the load the vaccine places on them is nothing to be worried about. In fact, you will have more to worry about if your child gets the flu than getting the vaccine.
Can the COVID vaccine give my child COVID?
No, this is biologically impossible because the vaccine doesn’t even contain the live strain of the virus. It operates on mRNA technology. However, your child can still get COVID if only one dose was administered and there hasn’t been enough time to build immunity.
Are there risks to the COVID vaccine in children?
Yes, sadly. But this is not peculiar to the coronavirus vaccine. All medications on the planet have some sort of inherent risk, however small. The most pronounced risk for the coronavirus vaccine is myocarditis. But the chances of getting it are pretty low – 2.13 in 100,000 people. There is even a higher risk of the virus causing myocarditis.
Can my vaccinated child still get the virus?
Again, yes, sadly. However, this is not an age thing. Adults can also get the virus even after being vaccinated. This is because of the emergence of new strains that can evade the protective efforts of the vaccine. But it is expected of the third or booster doses to reinforce this protection. Also, the chances of getting seriously ill after being vaccinated are very low.
There you have it, some of the most frequently asked questions by parents about the vaccine. As you can see, the vaccine is safe for children, as it is for adults. As a parent, with schools open, you should get your children vaccinated to protect them fully. Stay safe.
This article was written by Dr. Adil Manzoor DO, a Board Certified Internist & Board Eligible Pediatrician, who works as a Hospitalist, and Emergency Room Physician. He is also the current President of Garden State Street Medicine, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide free preventive and acute urgent care services for the homeless. He is also the co-founder of his own unique medical practice Mobile Medicine NJ.
References
· https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid19-vaccine-what-parents-need-to-know%3famp=true
· https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/pediatrician.html
