THE DOCTOR IS IN
OP-ED BY DR. ADIL MANZOOR
Despite the waning media attention, the coronavirus is still very well among us. A bit of good news, though, is that cases have drastically reduced compared to what they were at the start of the year. This is largely due to the protective efforts of the coronavirus vaccines. Amid the emergence of new variants, the CDC confirmed what we already suspected – that two doses of the vaccine would not be enough. Hence, the booster doses. However, not all age populations were cleared to get the booster doses initially.
Booster shots were first approved late last year and targeted first towards adults, as expected. Soon after, in January, the CDC approved booster doses for children between the ages of 12 and 15. This came after the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices), an advisory body for CDC on immunization practices, voted 13-1 in overwhelming support of the booster shots for children.
Back then, it was a milestone achievement, considering the number of questions asked about the safety of the boosters for children who were getting the virus at a faster rate because of the new variants. Aside from 12-15s, who “may” receive their third shot, children between 16 and 17 had their recommendation for the booster shots strengthened from “may” to “should.”
Now, six months later, the CDC has approved booster doses for children between 5 and 11. As with any vaccine and booster shot that would be approved by the CDC, the ACIP had to vote. Unsurprisingly, they voted 11-1 in favor of giving the vaccines to kids between the ages of 5 and 11. What’s more, the CDC shortened the time frame between getting the second and third shots to five months, compared to the six used before.
While it was always expected, many are curious about what triggered this move at this point in time. Well, for starters, there have been ongoing studies since the booster shots were first approved in the United States last year. The way it works is that high-risk populations are the first group considered for any vaccine approval, after which all adults are considered.
However, because children are at significantly less risk, there is a lower sense of urgency to approve vaccine shots for them. Enough extensive studies have to be conducted before any approval for children. Further, 16-17-year-olds are first considered, then 12-15-year-olds, before reaching 5-11-year-olds. There’s also the below five population, but that takes even longer.
The point I’m driving home is the CDC carries out enough tests before vaccines can be approved, and even more so for children. Emergency authorization is rarely given for booster shots to be administered to children. So, there really isn’t much to be afraid of regarding the safety of the booster shots that have been recently approved for kids ages 5-11.
Another trigger for this approval right now may be the recent surge of coronavirus cases in the United States, with the omicron subvariant BA.2 the primary driving force. While cases haven’t reached the high levels of concern seen earlier in the year, it is better to be on top of the situation, especially among smaller children.
Close to 70% of the population have gotten at least two shots of the coronavirus vaccine. The vaccination rate of adults and adolescents in the country has steadily increased since last year, unlike kids between 5 and 11.
According to the CDC, less than 30% of children aged 5-11 have received at least two doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Despite their markedly lower risk, these kids are not exempt from the adverse and potentially fatal effects of the coronavirus. Considering we are entering the summer season soon and the spread of the virus may increase, it makes sense to have all eligible kids vaccinated.
Moreover, the CDC is approving 10 micrograms of a booster dose, significantly less than the adult dose of 50 micrograms and the 30 micrograms administered to children between 12 and 17.
Ensure you get your kids fully vaccinated and boosted. Also, remember that the more shots of vaccine taken, the lower the chances of getting serious illnesses, even if you do get infected.
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.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-signs-pfizer-covid-boosters-kids-5-11-rcna29634
- https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/05/cdc-recommends-pfizer-covid-boosters-kids-ages-5-11
- https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0105-Booster-Shot.html#:~:text=Today%2C%20CDC%20is%20endorsing%20the,initial%20Pfizer%2DBioNTech%20vaccination%20series
