Pediatric Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 approved and recommended by the CDC
posted by Jacqueline Leibman | November 8, 2021 | In Newsby Jacqueline Leibman
On November 2, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine.
The pediatric vaccine allows an additional 28 million children in the United States to be vaccinated. The Delta variant which resulted in a surge of COVID-19 cases in children throughout the summer prompted the CDC to push for the release of a pediatric vaccine.
The Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine is a 2-part shot, like the adult version, however the vaccine dosage for children 5-11 is a 10-microgram dose versus the adult 30 microgram dose.
In a statement release by the CDC, “Similar to what was seen in adult vaccine trials, vaccination was nearly 91 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5-11 years… side effects were mild, self-limiting, and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children.”
A sore arm was noted as the most common side effect.
Dr. Walensky remarked on the scientific achievement stating, “Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”
Back in March of this year, twin 9-year-old girls— Alejandra and Marisol Gerardo—at Duke Health became the first in the United States to participate in Pfizer and BioNTech Phase 1 study to evaluate safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in preventing COVID-19 among healthy children below the age of 12. Over 2,000 children went on to participate in the study.
“I think we were kind of lulled to sleep early in the pandemic that this wasn’t necessarily affecting young children or children,” the study’s principal investigator at Duke, Dr. Emmanuel Walter, professor in the Department of Pediatrics and chief medical officer of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute told Spectrum News in October, “As things have moved along, we are realizing that yes, this virus does affect young children.”
The vaccine is already available across the state, including Fayetteville. The pediatric vaccine can be received at several places including Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Hoke Hospital, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and a few urgent and pediatric care centers. The NC Department of Health and Human Services has created a virtual map showing where in NC children aged 5-11 can receive the vaccine. The website will be updated as new places receives their vaccine shipment. Always call and check clinics for vaccine availability and whether appointments are required.
The NCDHHS continues to recommend that schools implement a universal face covering requirement, if they are located in a county with high or substantial levels as defined by the CDC.
The pediatric vaccine locater map can be accessed at this link: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/kids/locations
Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html
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