Good news for high schoolers – get boosted!
The dawn of December 9th, 2021 brought much awaited good news for worried high schoolers and their parents, as they debated on whether or not to opt for in-person classes after the holidays, as the new quarter starts in January, 2022.
As of December 9, 2021, the U.S. Food & Drug Authority has approved a booster shot for teenagers 16 years and 17 years old.
This emergency authorization for Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 booster shot to cover 16- and 17-year-olds, making it the only booster shot currently available in the United States for teenagers in this age group.
The news was well received by the majority across the United States as it helped in making the decision of opting for in-person classes in 2022.
This was followed almost immediately – within a few hours – by the Director of Center for Disease Control also signing off on it, thus making the much-needed booster shot available by appointment for all 16- and 17-year-olds.
The booster shot, like other previous booster shots, has been identified as safe and effective for use. Everyone is encouraged to get it as soon as possible if six months have elapsed since their last COVID-19 vaccination.
One matter of concern regarding boosting 16- and 17-year-olds relates to the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, and whether the elevated rates of these conditions that were previously seen after the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines may be seen after the third.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reported this highest in males – either teenagers or people in their early twenties, at a rate of 69 cases per 1 million doses of mRNA vaccines given.
However, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) these classic conditions of myocarditis and pericarditis that peak in mid to late teens can be caused by a number of factors, including some infections. They have been seen to appear at the rate of 18 cases per 1 million and the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis after Covid vaccination is seen to be higher after the second dose.
One consoling fact is that even if myocarditis or pericarditis is developed in teenagers, the symptoms are extremely mild, with good recovery and no complications.
This brings us back to the fact that vaccination remains the most effective method of protection against the COVID-19, including its present dangerous circulating Delta and Omicron variant.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated at the earliest availability.