Everything To Know As PA Opens COVID Vaccines To Some Children

PENNSYLVANIA — A major step forward in the vaccination effort was taken this week as the Pennsylvania Department of Health followed the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration, approving the use of the Pfizer vaccine on children 12 and older.

Until now, the Pfizer vaccine had only been available to the general public ages 16 and older, as there was limited research and few clinical trials related to the younger age group until now. There was also a greater urgency to prioritize adults who more easily transmit the virus, as well as at-risk groups.

The state waited until the CDC's meeting Wednesday until issuing its final approval. Some counties in Pennsylvania, like Montgomery County, already began scheduling hundreds of appointments for children this week.

“Hundreds of vaccine providers in Pennsylvania already have Pfizer vaccine on hand and are ready to safely and efficiently vaccinate people in this age group,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said in a statement.

Here are seven fast facts about the coronavirus vaccine for Pennsylvania children:

1. Is the vaccine safe for children?

Yes. On Wednesday, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved the vaccine as safe for children 12 and over. The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for this 12- to 15-year-old age group on Monday.

“We are thrilled that the FDA’s research has determined the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for individuals as young as 12,” Beam said.

2. How do we know it's safe for children?

The FDA declared the Pfizer vaccine is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15. The study found no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among kids given dummy shots.

"Parents and guardians can rest assured that the agency undertook a rigorous and thorough review of all available data, as we have with all of our COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorizations," Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said.

Perhaps even more notable, researchers found the kids developed higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies than earlier studies measured in young adults.

"Understandably, some parents want more information before their children receive a vaccine," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. "I encourage parents with questions to talk to your child’s healthcare provider or your family doctor to learn more about the vaccine."

Vaccines for children require consent from an adult.

3. Why should teens be vaccinated?

There have been about 1.5 million cases of COVID-19 among children since March 1, according to federal authorities. Further, nearly 300 children have died from COVID-19 nationwide, meaning it represents a threat on par with the flu (200 deaths), measles (500 yearly deaths before a vaccine was available), and varicella (75-100 deaths a year before a vaccine was available).

CHOP's team put forth several arguments for why vaccinations were important, noting a rare but often severe complication of COVID seen in children called multi-inflammatory syndrome. That has impacted some 3,000 children nationwide, they say.

Moreover, because children comprise such a huge chunk of the population, immunizing them helps the nation reach herd immunity more quickly. In the meantime, they're potential carriers that could infect high-risk groups like their parents or grandparents. Senior welfare groups like the AARP have been public in advocating that children get vaccinated for this reason.

Finally, there's the specter of school next fall with the virus still lingering in younger age groups. Vaccinations and herd immunity would help school districts move firmly past the pandemic, health experts note. And with a vaccine in hand, children could be assured they would not miss time in school, sports, or with friends due to an infection — particularly after a year of isolation.

4. What side effects can children expect?

In the trials, the younger teens received the same vaccine dosage as adults and had the same side effects, mostly sore arms and flu-like fever, chills or aches that signal a revved-up immune system, especially after the second dose.

"The side effects in adolescents were consistent with those reported in clinical trial participants 16 years of age and older," the FDA noted.

5. How effective is the vaccine for children in this age group?

In the trials, the Pfizer vaccine was 100 percent successful in preventing the virus in 1,005 individuals aged 12 to 15.

6. What is being done about vaccine hesitancy among families?

The state has made it a top priority to shift its efforts from merely administering the vaccine, to convincing those who have some reluctance. In the case of the vaccine and children, health experts say there is a significant amount of false or at least misleading information about the safety and necessity of this measure.

"We are increasingly concerned by some emerging commentary suggesting that there is less justification to vaccinate children than adults because the case fatality rate of COVID-19 is lower in children," the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Lab shared in their latest COVID-19 outlook.

7. Will younger children eventually need the vaccine?

Looking ahead, clinical trials for a vaccine that can be used on children as young as 2 are ongoing, officials say.

As of Thursday, Pennsylvania has fully vaccinated 46.2 percent of its 18 and over adult population.