COVID Vaccine for Kids Ages 5 to 11: Top Questions Answered

The CDC on Tuesday gave the inexperienced gentle for this age group to get a Pfizer shot, which marks the primary COVID-19 vaccine out there for kids beneath 12 years previous. All Americans ages 5 and up are actually vaccine-eligible.

Children will obtain two Pfizer pictures at one-third of an grownup dose, 3 weeks aside. One vital factor to notice: Because you’re not thought-about absolutely vaccinated till 2 weeks after your second shot, kids who get their vaccines now will nonetheless not have full safety by Thanksgiving.

Pfizer research present its vaccine is 90.7% efficient in stopping COVID-19. None of the kids ages 5 to 11 who have been studied have had any critical unintended effects, in keeping with Pfizer knowledge posted by the FDA.

The U.S. has sufficient vaccine provide for all 28 million kids now eligible, in keeping with the White House.

All COVID-19 vaccines are freed from cost.

“Parents should feel comforted not just that their children will be protected, but that this vaccine has gone through the necessary and rigorous evaluation that ensures the vaccine is safe and highly effective,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, stated at a latest information convention.

How Soon Can My Child Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Many pediatricians have already pre-ordered the vaccine and can doubtless have it able to go, says Sara “Sally” Goza, MD, a pediatrician in Fayetteville, GA, and fast previous president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

But it would nonetheless most likely fluctuate by website, in keeping with Andrew Pavia, MD, a pediatric infectious illness professional on the University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

“Larger clinics and children’s hospitals will be in the first group to be ready to provide the vaccine,” he says.

Various different COVID-19 vaccination websites stand able to distribute the brand new kids’s vaccine as nicely.

Viral Solutions, a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination and testing website with places throughout Georgia, says it may give kids ages 5 to 11 COVID-19 pictures as early as Thursday.

Will My Child’s Pediatrician Have the Vaccine?

It’s a good suggestion to name your baby’s physician to see if they’ve COVID-19 vaccines for youthful kids, Goza says.

“I think that is really where pediatricians will come in — talking about the vaccine, getting parents more comfortable about the vaccine, and then being able to give the vaccine,” she says.

But not all pediatricians can have vaccines straight away, because the Pfizer shot requires particular refrigeration, to not point out that pediatrics workplaces are sometimes busy this time of yr anyway.

The pharmacy is one other nice possibility, says Eric Ascher, DO, a household drugs physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

“Pharmacists are well-trained in vaccine administration,” he says.

“They are also well-trained if in the very rare event something happens. In fact, in the hospital, when a patient has a medication or vaccine side effect, the pharmacy team is the first group bedside, alongside the physician, to help treat the patient.”

If dad and mom are hesitant to take their 5- to 11-year-old to a pharmacy to get a COVID-19 vaccine, they need to elevate any questions or considerations with their pharmacist, says Danielle M. Zerr, MD, division chief of pediatric infectious illness on the University of Washington..

“What’s key is the vaccinator’s experience in administering vaccines to children,” she says. “This is a question that parents can ask of the pharmacy.”

Will the Doctor’s Office Be Crowded With Kids Getting COVID-19 Shots?

It might be difficult for some pediatricians’ workplaces to maintain up with the demand for COVID-19 pictures, particularly with kids and households coming in for different providers, in keeping with Pavia.

“They are also giving catch-up doses of other vaccines for children who missed appointments during earlier phases of the pandemic, and may be dealing with staff shortages,” he says.

“If your pediatrician will not be giving the vaccine for a few weeks, you may want to go to a pharmacy.”

Parents may ask their physician for suggestions on the place to take their 5- to 11-year-old to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Goza says.

“If pediatricians are not going to be able to offer it in their office, they’ll know where parents can get it,” she says.

It’s additionally potential that some practices may provide particular vaccine clinics to assist meet the demand for the brand new kids’s COVID-19 vaccines, Zerr says.

But in case your pediatrician’s workplace does have COVID-19 vaccines for youths ages 5 to 11, it’s a sensible concept to get them in to see the physician, says Ascher.

“I think this will be a very welcomed request and will allow a wonderful opportunity for primary care providers and pediatricians to catch children up on other age-appropriate needs,” he says.

How Will I Know if My Child Is Having Serious Side Effects?

“If the child complains of chest pain or shortness of breath, or your child does not appear the way they normally would, call your pediatrician,” Ascher says.

COVID-19 vaccine unintended effects for youths ages 5 to 11 will doubtless be comparable, if not milder, than these seen in adults, in keeping with Pavia.

“Sore arms are very common,” he says. “Some children may experience fatigue, chills, muscle aches, or fever. These side effects were somewhat less common in children 5 to 11 years old than in teens and young adults.”

“Most often, these side effects last less than 24 hours, but may last a bit longer,” he says.

Overall, dad and mom ought to belief their instincts, says Zerr.

“If you are worried, call your child’s primary care provider,” she says. “Also, the CDC has some helpful information here.”

The CDC additionally has a free smartphone software, known as V-SAFE, that gives you personalised well being check-ins after getting vaccinated and allows you to inform the CDC of any signs you’re having.

Based in your solutions, the CDC may offer you a name with info on subsequent steps you could possibly take to deal with your considerations.

Children Ages 5 to 11 Differ Greatly in Size; Why Is This Age Group So Vast?

Vaccine doses are based mostly on age and the physique’s maturity to develop a powerful immune response vs. physique dimension, Ascher says.

“The vaccine trials addressed vaccine doses across many ages to determine which is the safest dose with the largest immune response, with the least amount of side effects,” he says.

If you’d like extra info on COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11, you may contact your physician or different well being care suppliers. You may try the CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web sites for updates.