Vaccinating young kids is safe

As a healthcare provider, I have seen the devastating effects of COVID-19 on patients of all ages. From the elderly woman who fell to the ground, too weak to get up, to the man with dementia who became violent with his loved ones, and the middle-aged unvaccinated woman who is currently on a ventilator, all these patients were set off by a COVID-19 infection, likely transmitted by young children.

It is vital that we get our littlest ones protected against COVID-19, not just for them but also for vulnerable adults throughout the nation. The recent emergency use authorization of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for children under 5 is a significant step in the right direction.

It has been almost 2 1/2 years since the start of the pandemic, and although life is showing signs of returning to normalcy with mask mandates dropping around the nation, COVID-19 is still circulating and causing mortality and morbidity. Over 1 million Americans have died from COVID-19, and several hundred are added to that number every day. Cases and hospital admissions are on the uptick, and the newest sub-variants of Omicron are more infectious than ever. Even with prior infections, people are getting COVID-19 infections again.

Vaccines still remain our best protection against serious disease, hospitalizations, and death. The vaccines have proven to be overall safe, effective and life-saving. At a time when forecasts from the CDC indicate continued increases in COVID-19 deaths and hospital admissions, having this protection is more important than ever.

The expansion of the emergency use authorization of vaccines to the youngest children will be particularly crucial in helping to curb further damage from the persistent coronavirus. Children in daycares and schools across the country are becoming infected, with almost 6 million cases in 2022 alone. While in most children, it is a minor illness, there have been many who have been hospitalized and died.

The doses of the Moderna and BioNTech vaccines are smaller for children but still protective. In safeguarding our children, we also help protect ourselves. If vaccinated kids have a much smaller risk of infection and do not get it in the first place, they cannot then pass it on to their visiting grandparents or other high-risk, vulnerable adults.

However, there are still voices that are against the vaccine, and some politicians are using the issue for political gain. For example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has directed his state department to not pre-order vaccines for children, significantly slowing down the effort to protect Floridians of all ages. His reasons are political, anti-science, and dangerous.

We cannot listen to the vocal anti-science crowd. These vaccines have undergone the same rigorous testing and safety standards as all vaccines and medications. No one wants to risk the lives of children, but the vaccines are safe. The bigger risk is actually catching COVID-19 or worse, having their parents and caretakers become deathly ill from the virus.

If we had had these vaccines for children earlier, all three of my patients could have avoided hospitalizations. Thankfully, they all made it home alive, but I certainly have had many cases that ended in tragedy.

In conclusion, the expansion of the emergency use authorization of vaccines to the youngest children is a significant step in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccines still remain our best protection against serious disease, hospitalizations, and death. It is crucial that we vaccinate our children to protect not only them but also our most vulnerable. We cannot listen to the anti-science crowd or let politicians use the issue for political gain. We must all come together to fight this virus and protect our communities.In addition to protecting vulnerable adults, vaccinating children against COVID-19 can also have important societal benefits. When schools are forced to close due to high rates of infection among students, it has a ripple effect throughout the community. Parents may need to miss work to care for their children, leading to lost wages and potential economic hardship. And when parents cannot work, it can also have an impact on local businesses and the wider economy.

Vaccinating children against COVID-19 can help to prevent these kinds of disruptions and keep schools open, allowing parents to continue working and contributing to the economy. It can also help to ensure that children do not fall behind in their education, which is critical for their long-term success.

Of course, getting young children vaccinated is not always easy. It can be challenging to get young children to sit still for a shot, and some may be afraid of needles. However, there are a number of strategies that parents can use to make the process easier.

One important step is to talk to your child about why getting vaccinated is important. Depending on their age, you can use simple language to explain that the vaccine will help to keep them healthy and prevent them from getting sick. You can also talk about how getting vaccinated can help to protect their grandparents or other family members who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Another strategy is to make the vaccination process into a fun experience. For example, you could plan a special activity or treat for after the shot, such as going to a favorite restaurant or getting ice cream. You can also bring along a favorite toy or stuffed animal for comfort.

It's also important to be honest with your child about what to expect during the vaccination process. Let them know that they may feel a brief pinch or sting from the shot, but that it will be over quickly. You can also reassure them that you will be there to hold their hand and comfort them during the process.

Finally, it's important for parents to model positive behavior when it comes to vaccinations. If your child sees that you are willing to get vaccinated and take steps to protect yourself and others, they will be more likely to follow your lead. By making vaccination a family affair, you can help to create a culture of safety and responsibility within your household and community.