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As COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues, many parents are eager to learn when more vaccines will become available to others, especially their children.
Dr. Eric Robinette, infectious disease physician at Akron Children’s Hospital, notes that while many are anxious to receive the vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided recommendations for distribution but, ultimately, it’s up to each state to prioritize groups.
Dr. Robinette
“From a pediatric perspective, clinical trials are still underway for a vaccine that supports children,” said Dr. Robinette. “The FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for people 16 years or older and the Moderna vaccine for those 18 years or older, but the majority of kids aren’t part of the initial priority groups that include health care workers, the elderly and workers in essential or critical industries. For now, the best way to keep our kids protected is to stay vigilant with distancing, hand washing and masking, as well as staying home if someone has symptoms of COVID-19.”
As COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in the U.S., the CDC will provide information on who is and is not recommended to receive each vaccine, what to expect after vaccination, as well as vaccine ingredients, safety and effectiveness.
Rolling out vaccines to more than 300 million Americans will pose many challenges – logistically and administratively – and is currently being reviewed at federal and state levels. Here’s where we are today:
According to The Atlantic, scientists don’t yet have the data to confirm that the vaccines actually prevent people from spreading the coronavirus asymptomatically in addition to preventing COVID-19 symptoms. They note the vaccine can offer some protection to the recipient, but a person can’t be fully confident about not spreading the disease to others.
For more resources and information about COVID-19, visit Akron Children’s Hospital. Learn more about Ohio’s vaccine distribution plans here.
