This past weekend, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officially announced their recommendation that children aged six months through five years of age can now get the COVID-19 vaccine.
This announcement follows the FDA’s recommendation of administering either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to this young group.
While only approximately 3% of COVID cases in the States are in that age group, hospitalization is higher than that of older children.
COVID has been responsible for 400 deaths of children aged one to four, and may possibly be linked to the surprising outbreak of hepatitis that has been recently been reported in children.
Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the same formula as the adult vaccines, just in smaller doses. Both are effective at combating the virus and both have similar side effects that may cause drowsiness, pain at the injection site and mild fevers. Even if a child has already contracted COVID, experts suggest still vaccinating them seeing as how immunity decreases over time.
COVID-19 shots for children are available to schedule at pediatricians’ offices, children’s hospitals and local pharmacies.
