The CDC recommended the Pfizer booster shot for kids ages 5 to 11 at least five months after their primary vaccination series. This is in response to COVID-19 cases rising across the country, and immunity from the first two doses wanes off. After discussing the data, the CDC’s independent vaccine experts voted in favor of boosters for kids in this age group. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendation later that evening. Thus giving pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and other healthcare providers the green light to start administering shots.
The CDC will roll out boosters for children ages 5 to 11, even though most kids haven’t received their first two doses. Only 29% of the age group are fully vaccinated. In a statement, Walensky sought to reassure parents that the COVID-19 vaccine shots are safe.
“Vaccination with a primary series among this age group has lagged behind other age groups leaving them vulnerable to serious illness,” Walensky said. “I encourage parents to keep their children up to date with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.”
How Covid Is Affecting Kids 5 to 11
Although COVID-19 is typically less severe in children than adults, more and more kids between 5 to 11 have been hospitalized during the last wave. Since the pandemic, more than 4.8 million kids in that age group have caught COVID-19. According to CDC data, more than 15000 in that age group have been hospitalized, and more than 180 have died.
Public health officials are worried about children developing long-term health conditions such as Covid and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). MIS-C is a severe condition associated with Covid infection that impacts multiple organ systems.
“The impact and severity of long haul Covid on kids is substantial, and while we might not see it in the medical care setting, it is absolutely affecting the lives of individuals who are impacted,” said Dr. Grace Lee, the committee chair and professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Over 8000 children have developed MIS-C since the start of the pandemic. Kids ages 5 to 11 were the most affected by MIS-C, with 46% reported cases. Sixteen children in that age group have passed away from the condition. That is 23% of the 68 total fatalities reported in all age ranges of children.
Pfizer Booster Shot Findings
Pfizer presented data in a group of 30 children ranging from ages 5 to 11, which showed that a third dose boosted infection-blocking antibody levels. Researchers believed this should be proof enough of protection against the Omicron variant. However, this information was not presented during the CDC’s meeting. In a larger group of children, the reaction to the third dose was mild to moderate, with fatigue and headache as the most common symptoms. Furthermore, the rate of fevers was low. Fortunately, there were no cases of myocarditis or pericarditis. Ten children possessed swollen lymph nodes, but the cases resolved within a week.
Today, more than 18 million Pfizer doses have been administered to kids ages 5 to 11 in the U.S. since the two-dose vaccination series was authorized for this age group. And any reactions were not severe.
