Since the vaccines against COVID-19 appeared, one of the great doubts and concerns of millions of parents was whether their minor children could be vaccinated and how safe it was for them to do so. These doubts persist despite the fact that information and studies have pointed out the safety of these immunizations in boys and girls.
In light of this, Stanford Medicine and the Alliance of Physicians in California STOP COVID-19 have sought to dispel these doubts through answers to frequently asked questions from parents who hesitate to vaccinate their children under 5 years of age.
1.- Why is it important to vaccinate children under 5 years of age?
Because more than 15 million children have contracted COVID-19 in the US, and nearly 450 children ages four and younger have died. Whereas, since the Ómicron variant appeared, the hospitalization of children under 5 years of age has grown five times more.
2.- What are the available vaccines and how many boosters should they receive?
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are the authorized inoculations against COVID-19 available for children under 5 years of age, who should not receive boosters.
Only children older than 5 years should receive a booster shot at least five months after their primary series. This provides longer lasting protection.
3.- Should babies also be vaccinated?
Yes, as long as they are older than 6 months.
4.- Are the vaccines against COVID-19 safe for children?
The vaccines are safe, and even when given in a lower dose, they cause levels of antibodies similar to those that provide protection in adolescents and adults.
5.- What are the side effects and how long do they last?
Headache and pain in the arm where the vaccine was applied, muscle and joint pain; as well as fever, lack of appetite and fatigue, effects that can last up to two days.
According to the National Institutes of Health ?NIH, for its acronym in English?, on rare occasions, some children and adolescents have heart problems after the vaccine, inflammation of the heart muscle ?a condition called myocarditis? or the external sac that surrounds the heart?pericarditis?, however, these have rarely happened, mainly in older children and young men.
Most people with these heart problems feel better soon after taking medicine and resting. COVID-19 is more likely to cause heart problems than the vaccine.
6.- Should they get vaccinated if they already got COVID-19?
Everyone should get vaccinated, even if they have already had COVID-19. Research shows that people are more protected by being fully vaccinated than by just being infected with COVID-19.
7.- What happens if they have to receive another vaccine?
Experts point out that children can even receive other vaccines on the same day they are immunized against COVID-19.
8.- How can babies be protected from the womb?
Pregnant people who get vaccinated protect their babies against COVID-19.
While it is true that it is not fun to get vaccinated, it is less fun to acquire a disease like COVID-19.
According to Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, professor of Pediatrics, Epidemiology and Population Health; and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stanford University School of Medicine, the goal of vaccination is not to prevent infection or a single case of COVID-19, but to prevent hospitalizations and deaths.
The vaccine is based on research conducted over many years and has been given to millions of adults around the world with good results. And it is known that it is also effective and safe in children under 18 years of age, said the expert.
The American Academy of Pediatrics ?with 67 thousand pediatricians in its membership? strongly recommends that all eligible children receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, only 28 percent of children ages 5 to 11, and 68 percent of children ages 12 to 17 have received their shots.
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