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Youth

New Guidance from CDC and FDA Brings Hope in Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the American Heart Association (AHA) supports the new recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the country is gradually moving towards controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA's decision to authorize emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in 12 through 15-year-old adolescents, a move the CDC quickly endorsed, is a significant step in this direction. The CDC also announced that people who are fully vaccinated can resume most normal activities without wearing a mask or social distancing, except in cases governed by certain laws and regulations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FDA has authorized emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in 12 through 15-year-old adolescents, which the CDC has quickly endorsed.
  • People who are fully vaccinated can resume most normal activities without wearing a mask or social distancing, except in cases governed by certain laws and regulations.
  • The American Heart Association supports this new guidance from the CDC, citing the growing evidence that vaccines are nearly 100% effective against deaths and hospitalization from COVID.
  • Vaccination is especially important for people of all ages with cardiovascular disease or other chronic conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes, as these individuals are most at risk for serious complications from COVID-19.
  • The risk of COVID-19 causing death and disability is vastly higher than the risk of vaccine adverse effects.
  • Children with COVID-19 can exhibit a more serious inflammatory syndrome, often requiring hospitalization and intensive care.
  • Even children with mild symptoms can still have long-term damage that causes health problems down the road.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,000 adolescents between 12-15 were in the clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
  • The side effects for children between 12-15 are largely the same as those for adults, including sore arms, fatigue, headaches, and chills in rare cases.
  • The vaccine was 100% effective at preventing COVID in the clinical trials for children between 12-15.

Sources:

  • American Heart Association
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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