COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Wesley Ding '22 Staff Writer
The COVID-19 vaccine is constantly undergoing changes. Pfizer/BioNTech has reduced its dose for 5-11 year olds, and it has recently received authorization from the FDA. Parents that have kids within this age range are very concerned about the release of the new vaccine for kids. Reported cases within elementary and middle schools are increasing, and many parents want to vaccinate their children as soon as possible. The site delmarvanow.com last updated an article about the vaccine earlier this month. It says that Pfizer is also adjusting its vaccine to give better protection against the Delta variant. They are testing their vaccine on consenting patients to see what changes can be made. Dana Smith, a parent of an 11-year old boy, said to CNS, “We are looking forward to the vaccine being approved for kids, and I plan to have my son vaccinated as soon as possible.” The children’s vaccine has been completely approved, so many parents are awaiting the chance to get their kids vaccinated.
According to WebMd, it was possible to pre-order COVID-19 vaccine doses for 5-11 year old children. To do so, there was a PDF on cdc.gov, linked in the article containing simplified instructions as a guide and for more information. The hospitals are already beginning to set up vaccination campaigns for kids of those ages. The article says, “Pharmacies in every state will be able to give COVID-19 shots to children, but they can only use doses that are prepared specifically for children. Ages 5-11 will need a 10-microgram dose, which is one-third of the dose administered to ages 12 and older.” The CDC also gives other advice, like recommended places to get the vaccine. They say that pediatricians and family practice doctors are a better choice than vaccination at school. It is still a debate whether children need to be vaccinated in order to attend school.
The 5-11 vaccine is going to be available in multiple places from all states. The Baltimore Sun quoted Andy Owen, spokesman for the Maryland Department of Health. Owen has been working with different health and medical groups in Maryland, all concerning the safety of 5-11 children. The article states, “Owen said the state is working with pediatricians, local school systems, local health departments and pharmacies to ensure that there will be multiple options for 5- to 11-year-old Marylanders to get COVID-19 vaccines.” So far, Pfizer is the only vaccine that is authorized for the 5-11 age group, as well as the only one currently authorized for the 12-18 age group.
According to WebMd, it was possible to pre-order COVID-19 vaccine doses for 5-11 year old children. To do so, there was a PDF on cdc.gov, linked in the article containing simplified instructions as a guide and for more information. The hospitals are already beginning to set up vaccination campaigns for kids of those ages. The article says, “Pharmacies in every state will be able to give COVID-19 shots to children, but they can only use doses that are prepared specifically for children. Ages 5-11 will need a 10-microgram dose, which is one-third of the dose administered to ages 12 and older.” The CDC also gives other advice, like recommended places to get the vaccine. They say that pediatricians and family practice doctors are a better choice than vaccination at school. It is still a debate whether children need to be vaccinated in order to attend school.
The 5-11 vaccine is going to be available in multiple places from all states. The Baltimore Sun quoted Andy Owen, spokesman for the Maryland Department of Health. Owen has been working with different health and medical groups in Maryland, all concerning the safety of 5-11 children. The article states, “Owen said the state is working with pediatricians, local school systems, local health departments and pharmacies to ensure that there will be multiple options for 5- to 11-year-old Marylanders to get COVID-19 vaccines.” So far, Pfizer is the only vaccine that is authorized for the 5-11 age group, as well as the only one currently authorized for the 12-18 age group.