COVID-19 Vaccines For Children
COVID-19 Vaccines For Children
E
arlier this month, the US Centers for Disease Con- care. Moreover, both in Israel and the United States, the Jeffrey S. Gerber
trol and Prevention (CDC) recommended Pfizer’s incidence of myocarditis in children 12 to 15 years of age is an associate
COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for receiving mRNA vaccines is less than that in the 16- to professor of
children between 5 and 11 years of age—that’s 28 25-year-old age group. And because the dose of Pfizer’s Pediatrics and
million children. Yet surveys show that 42 to 66% of mRNA is one-third that given to older adolescents, myo- Epidemiology,
parents of these children are reluctant or opposed carditis in the younger age group will likely be even rarer. University of
to seeking this protection. Without vaccination, it is Myocarditis is only one piece of the risk-benefit analy- Pennsylvania
likely that almost everyone—including young children— sis. Children need to go to school, play with friends, and Perelman School
will be infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome participate in extracurricular activities for their social and of Medicine,
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at some point in their lives. emotional development. This is their life. Since August
Philadelphia, PA, USA
So, the question for parents and caregivers is: Which is 2021, more than 2000 schools in the US have been forced
and deputy director
worse, vaccination or natural infection? to close because of COVID-19 outbreaks, affecting more
of the Center for
Make no mistake—COVID-19 is a childhood illness. than 1 million students. The disruption of school activities
When SARS-CoV-2 entered the United States early in has harmed children more than any detectable vaccine Pediatric Clinical
2020, children accounted for fewer than 3% of cases; side effect, including worsening of mental health, wid- Effectiveness at
today, they account for more ening education gaps, and de- Children’s Hospital
than 25%. More than 6 million creased physical activity. These of Philadelphia,
US children have been infected harms have disproportionately Philadelphia, PA, USA.
with SARS-CoV-2, including 2
million between the ages of 5
“…a choice not affected people of color, Indig-
enous persons, and individuals
[email protected]
and 11. At the end of October to get a vaccine is not of lower socioeconomic status, Paul A. Offit
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