On Nov. 2 the CDC advisory panel recommended the use of the first COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. This vaccine, made by Pfizer, is already authorized for those age 12 and older.
To learn more UConn Today sat down with UConn Health Pediatrician Jody Terranova, DO, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UConn School of Medicine. She is President-Elect for the Connecticut chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and was a member of the Scientific Sub-Group of State of Connecticut Governor’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group.
Which vaccine(s) will soon be available to 5-11 year olds?
Pfizer has received FDA authorization and CDC recommendation for its vaccine. This vaccine is a smaller dose than the one approved for 12 years old and up. Two doses will still be required, 3 weeks apart and children will not be considered fully protected until two weeks after that second dose.
How does the vaccine work to protect the pediatric population from COVID-19?
Just like adults, the vaccine provides excellent protection against infection from COVID-19. The vaccine works similar to the other childhood vaccines we give every day. The vaccine teaches the immune system to recognize and create antibodies against the SARS-coV-2 virus so that the virus cannot replicate and infect your child.
What should a parent expect their child to experience post-vaccination?
The testing in children showed that after the vaccine was given, they had very similar side effects as adults. The most common side effect is pain at the injection site. Other side effects that were seen in the trials that parents should be aware of are low-grade fevers, body aches, fatigue and headaches. On average these last only a day or two.
What does the latest testing research reviewed by the FDA show about the vaccine benefits for younger children?
The testing showed that the vaccine is 91% effective at preventing symptomatic disease in children 5-11 years old. This is amazing protection for a vaccine and is especially good news knowing that it was being tested when the delta variant was becoming the predominant strain in our country.
As a pediatrician what will you be recommending to parents of 5-11 year olds?
Absolutely. Parents of children 5-11 years old should strongly consider having their child vaccinated as soon as possible. While we are fortunate that children in this age group as a whole are not severely impacted by COVID-19, there are still quite a number of children who have required hospitalization and ICU level care. This age group is particularly susceptible to a late complication of COVID-19 called MIS-C or Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. Preventing infection with COVID-19 in the first place will protect against this complication as well as the long haul COVID-19 symptoms that are also being seen in children.
Another benefit will be peace of mind. Many parents are nervous about sending their children to settings where mask wearing may not be occurring consistently. Knowing their child is protected with the vaccine offers a lot of reassurance for parents. Additionally, there is a decreased need for quarantining once vaccinated. Current CDC guidelines state that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after a potential exposure. This could really help to keep kids in school, especially when we get to the point where we can remove mask requirements.
Is there any child that should not be vaccinated, or not yet?
There are very few children over 5 years old that should not be vaccinated. Children who currently have COVID-19 should wait until they have recovered and are past their isolation period. Children who had the MIS-C complication of COVID-19 should wait until 90 days after their diagnosis. If you have a question or concern about your child it is always best to talk to your pediatrician. We are here to help you make the best choice for your child and your situation.
Looking toward the future, will children need a booster shot or annual vaccine to protect them?
Yes, it is likely that children may need booster shots in the future and it could become annual like the flu vaccine if we continue to see mutations, waning of immunity and persistent spread of the virus. Data will continue to be collected over the coming months to see how long the protection from the vaccine lasts. For children, they might be able to go a bit longer before needing a booster, but time will tell.
For the latest updates and upcoming appointment availability about vaccines for children ages 5 to 11, please visit UConn Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program website.
