The CDC is now recommending the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old. A pediatric emergency medicine physician offers advice for parents who may still be concerned.
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CLEVELAND – The CDC is now recommending Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old. The announcement comes after the FDA granted authorization last week.
“The dose recommendation is 10 micrograms, which is smaller than the 12 to 15 and above patients, which got the same vaccine as the adult amount,” explained Purva Grover, MD, emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
Previously, only children 12 and older were eligible for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Grover said extensive research was conducted before the FDA granted approval for the new age group, and no major side effects were reported.
She knows some parents may still be concerned about the safety of the vaccine but said the benefits far outweigh the risks. She also notes that it will help bring normalcy back to the lives of many children who have had a hard time during the pandemic.
“Younger kids are having a harder time than ever and we have data from the pediatric ED about how the number of patients coming in with behavior concerns, anxiety and stuff in that age group has doubled, tripled even,” said Dr. Grover. “That’s because society was shut down on them. So, the COVID vaccine also provides this release about going back to normalcy to a large extent.”
Currently, only Pfizer has authorization to administer the vaccine to children.
