Pediatric (5-11yo) COVID Vaccines
I was hoping to send out this information about the pediatric COVID vaccines with notification that we have the shots available in our office. Unfortunately, we still only have adult doses available. We will send out a text message when we get them, but don’t wait! If you can get an appointment elsewhere, please do so – given our current COVID numbers in the state, we want as many vaccinated as possible before the holidays.
As you are likely aware, the dose of the Pfizer vaccine for the 5-11 year olds is a third of the adult dose. It is still given in 2 doses, 3 weeks apart.
If you have questions about your children being vaccinated, that’s completely legitimate! I want you all to be making thoughtful choices about what you are giving them. Here’s a few facts that may help:
COVID-19 Infections and Kids
· Since the Delta variant started, COVID-19 is the 6th leading cause of death for 5-11 yo children, ahead of influenza/pneumonia, suicide, and heart disease.
· MIS-C (the condition where different body parts/organs become inflamed) is highest in the 5-11yo age group. As of early October 5,217 cases have been reported, 60-70% end up in the ICU and 1-2% die.
· 7-8% of kids who get COVID-19 will have “long COVID-19.” These are symptoms that last longer than 4 weeks and can include fatigue, headache, insomnia, concentration problems, muscle pain, joint pain, cough.
Does the Vaccine Work?
· Antibody levels in the younger children reached the same levels as in the older age group (compared to 16-25 year olds), even at the lower dose.
· Studies showed 90.7% efficacy against the virus, including the Delta variant.
What are the Side Effects?
· Similar to adults, side effects are fever, fatigue, headaches, chills, diarrhea and aches. Less common-rash, swollen lymph nodes. Most are mild to moderate and resolve in 1-2 days.
· These typically are worse after the second dose.
What About Myocarditis?
· There were no cases of myocarditis in 5-11 year olds after the vaccine. However, because myocarditis is so rare, the trials may not have been large enough to see cases – this is being watched closely.
· In the 12-29yo age group, there have been 877 cases out of more than 100,000,000 vaccinated.
· For those rare patients that do get myocarditis after a vaccine, it appears to be much milder than classic myocarditis. Patients recover faster and without long-term effects.
The Rumors…my friend/neighbor/second cousin said I shouldn’t vaccinate my child because:
· The vaccine was approved too quickly. Nope. mRNA research started in 1961, with clinical trials since 2001. This is not new technology. All trials went through the required phases. Because of high COVID rates, they were able to prove that the vaccine worked much faster than when they are looking at a rare condition. Finally, the government funded production early, so that the vaccine would be ready as soon as it was approved.
· The vaccine will change my child’s DNA. Nope. DNA is in the nucleus of the cell, mRNA is outside the nucleus. mRNA cannot be turned into DNA without a “tool” that the vaccine does not have.
· The vaccine causes infertility. Nope. Thousands of people have gotten pregnant after being vaccinated. This rumor started because there is a protein in the placenta that shares a small piece of genetic code with the spike protein on the coronavirus. A good analogy I read somewhere…your immune system getting mixed up and thinking the protein in the placenta is actually a coronavirus would be like seeing a cat and thinking it’s an elephant because they are both grey. Additionally, for males, there is concern that the virus can affect testicular function and sperm production. The vaccine would protect against this.
· What about long-term side effects? mRNA is very fragile and breaks down within 72 hours of being in the body. Components are cleared from the body quickly. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose. As we have over 12 months of vaccine follow-up, the chance of a new side effect appearing is unlikely.
As with everything COVID, we learn more each week. I will continue to keep you updated with these email updates, on the website and on the office facebook page.
Stay safe,
MC, MD
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