COVID-19 vaccination for children
Anika H. Ahmed, MD
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues worldwide, with so far five new variants sprouting more in certain countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Brazil, India and South Africa, scientists continue to work round the clock on clinical trials, to get approval for a vaccine that can be given to children. It is certainly a big achievement in a very short time, when after successfully conducting clinical trials on 3000 children, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has met the safety and efficacy standards for administration in children ages 5 through 11 years old.
The approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is easily available in the United States and is now being administered to children between 5-11 years of age. Many parents are still hesitant in giving their children the vaccine as they are afraid of short- and long-term side effects. The facts remain that like any other vaccine, the Covid-19 vaccine also will have side effects, more in certain children, while less or no side effects in other children, depending on how each individual’s immune system reacts. The common side effects seen so far in clinical trials are soreness or pain at the site of the injection, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, generalized body aches, fever and joint pain. These side effects are typically seen within 24-48 hours of vaccination and usually disappear about 1-2 days later.
Approved vaccination for children is a big break through that can help keep children healthy and safe in schools and they can once again attend in person classes. Vaccination certainly gives protection against Covid-19 with some children still developing symptoms if exposed to the Coronavirus, but definitely milder with a speedier recovery. Although the Covid-19 vaccine does work well, some children will still get sick, because no vaccines are 100% effective. The few children getting Covid-19 despite vaccination will be the vaccine breakthrough cases, and as seen in adults, they will not have serious complications requiring hospitalization and will recover well with supportive symptomatic treatment at home, under care of a primary physician.
The main benefit of giving children a Covid-19 vaccination is preventing him or her from becoming severely ill or experiencing short term or long-term complications. This is especially true for children with underlying serious health conditions like juvenile diabetes, asthma, obesity, and congenital heart diseases. For children the main incentive of getting vaccinated, in addition to getting a sticker and a lollypop from the health worker, shall be staying in school with friends, participating in sports, group school activities and having frequent playdates!