COVID-19 vaccinations for young children now expected to start later this year
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued guidance for vaccine providers on new COVID-19 vaccines for children. At least two new vaccines – the first being the combination of PEG-INF-1 and the second being the combination of PANDAS – have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by pediatric patients only.
Both vaccines have been tested in clinical trials on children and young adults, showing safety and efficacy with no serious side effects. Both will need to be given as part of routine medical care through 2018. According to the CDC, at least one of the new vaccines is expected to be administered to children and teens in the United States as early as April. However, new vaccines could be required to be given to children by the government earlier.
The CDC recommends that parents who think their child has an infection with a new coronavirus should discuss the situation with their pediatrician.
“The CDC recommends that parents who think their child has an infection with a new coronavirus should discuss the situation with their pediatrician,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the executive director of the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases and a member of the CDC’s immunization committee. “It is imperative that parents, family, and healthcare providers have the same understanding of the disease and the current vaccine recommendations to help prevent transmission of the virus and the potential for infection if close contact occurs. Children should receive the current vaccine recommendations as soon as possible, regardless of whether they have been infected.”
In recent weeks, some pediatricians have suggested that they are beginning to see an uptick in the number of parents coming to their office to seek out a new pediatric vaccine; as a result, the CDC has expanded vaccination guidelines to include a new vaccine.
Dr. Suzanne Humphries, professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, said parents should discuss this with their pediatrician if there is an indication that the coronavirus is circulating in the community.
“It is an excellent idea for parents to bring the issue to their pediatrician and have them talk to colleagues about that they have come across parents who want to start the vaccine
