COVID-19 Vaccination Expanded to Children as Young as 6 Months

Strategic Insights -

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved COVID-19 vaccination for young children who are at least 6 months old, making roughly 20 million children in the United States under 5 years newly eligible for vaccination. This decision comes as COVID-19 cases are rising, and many parents are eager to vaccinate their youngest kids. Grace Lee, associate chief medical officer for practice innovation and a pediatric infectious diseases physician, answers frequently asked questions about vaccines for young children.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 2 million cases, 20,000 hospitalizations, and 200 deaths due to COVID-19 have occurred in children under 5 years of age since the beginning of the pandemic.
  • The CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months and older, with two vaccines available: the three-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the two-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The Pfizer vaccine is given at a 3-microgram dosage for children 6 months to 4 years of age, while the Moderna vaccine is recommended for children ages 6 months to 5 years at a dose of 25 micrograms.
  • Children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need additional doses, as with immunocompromised teens and adults.
  • A child can be considered fully immunized two weeks after the third dose of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine or two weeks after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine.
  • Children who have already gotten COVID-19 should still receive the vaccine, as natural immunity is not reliable and the primary vaccine series offers additional and reliable protection.
  • Parents should wait until all symptoms have resolved before getting their child vaccinated if they have recently had a COVID-19 infection.
  • About 59% of 12- to 17-year-olds and around 29% of children ages 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.
  • The most common side effects are a sore arm, headache, fever, and fatigue, which usually occur one to two days after vaccination and resolve after a few days.
  • Children who are immunocompromised should receive vaccines to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 illness or death, with additional doses given to those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Statistics:

  • 20 million children in the United States under 5 years are newly eligible for vaccination.
  • Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 2 million cases, 20,000 hospitalizations, and 200 deaths due to COVID-19 have occurred in children under 5 years of age.
  • The CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months and older.
  • 59% of 12- to 17-year-olds and around 29% of children ages 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Elizabeth Valente, "mRNA vaccines approved for children as young as 6 months"