The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended children aged five-to-11 be vaccinated against COVID-19. This clears the way for 28 million more children to be vaccinated.
The approval covers use of the Pfizer vaccine for the younger children. The dose is one-third the amount administered to adults. There will be two shots given three weeks apart rather than the two-week waiting period for adults.
“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”
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The announcement met with swift support from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC director, said “We want people to know that a great deal of research and analysis went into the approval of the vaccine for this age group. This research has shown that the vaccine is safe and effective in children ages five to 11.”
Dr. Jane Kelly, DHEC’s assistant state epidemiologist, said the Palmetto State will receive more than 152,000 doses during this first week of eligibility.
“To date, 100% of requests have been delivered to providers who are requesting the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines. We anticipate the federal government will provide additional pediatric vaccines on a regular basis moving forward,” she explained.
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South Carolina has more than 436,000 in the younger age group.
In Georgia, the Department of Public Health said there are just under one million children eligible to be vaccinated.
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Dr. Joshua Wyche, assistant vice president of strategic planning & pharmacy services at AU Health, said they anticipate starting vaccination clinics at their pediatrician offices next week. He believes pediatricians will lead the vaccination efforts for the younger children.
“Parents who’ve entrusted the care of their child to this pediatrician and have a relationship with this pediatrician can ask their pediatrician questions about this vaccine,” he said. “Have those questions answered so they fully understand the benefit versus risk profile of this vaccine and are going to make this decision in an educated fashion for their child, themselves, their family and their community.”
Wyche said about 50% of 12 -to- 18-year-olds are vaccinated. If that carries through the 28-million younger children now eligible, it will significantly close the gap for the unvaccinated.
“It really does make it a game changer,” he believes. “Being able to hug grandparents, love their grandparents, because they’re going to feel much more safe being around their 70- or 80-year-old grandmother, or grandfather. And it’s going to allow a lot of parents I think to rest easier at night, knowing that if their child were to contract COVID that they’re going to be protected at an incredibly high level from severe disease or death.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
