What All Parents Need To Know
To keep children in schools healthy, Georgia requires children to get vaccines against certain diseases before going to school. If youre unsure of Georgias school requirements, now is the time to check with your childs doctor, your childs school, or your local health department. That way, your child can get any needed vaccines before the back-to-school rush.
Is The Covid Vaccine Safe For Children
The results submitted to the FDA and CDC are preliminary, but both agencies say the vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are safe and effective.
“There are many processes in place to ensure safety, including oversight from vaccine advisory groups, the FDA, and the vaccine manufacturers,” Dr. Leslie Sude, a pediatrician at the Yale School of Medicine, said in a statement. “We are fortunate to live in a country that has these oversights in place.”
Children get lower doses of the vaccines than adults, Sude added, but “mount robust antibody responses with no safety concerns.”
Measles Mumps Rubella And Varicella Vaccine
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced a new measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine to the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.
Immunization against measles, mumps and rubella is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario, unless exempted. Immunization against varicella is also required for children born in 2010 or later.
What is measles?
Measles can be a serious infection. It causes high fever, cough, rash, runny nose and watery eyes. Measles lasts for one to two weeks. Ear infections or pneumonia can happen in one out of every 10 children with measles. Measles can also be complicated by encephalitis, an infection of the brain, in about one out of every 1,000 children with measles. This may cause brain damage and developmental delays. Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely.
Measles spreads from person to person very easily and quickly. People can get measles from an infected person coughing or sneezing around them or simply talking to them.
What is mumps?
Mumps can cause very painful, swollen testicles in about one out of four teenage boys or adult men, and painful infection of the ovaries in one out of 20 women. Mumps infection during the first three months of pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. Mumps can cause deafness in some people.
What is rubella ?
What is varicella ?
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Pfizer Dosing For Children:
- Children 6 months-4 years: Just three micrograms per shot, given in two shots, spaced three weeks apart, then:
- A third dose of Pfizer is required two months after the second dose for children 6 months to 4 years
Is Pfizer Or Moderna Better For Small Children
Moderna’s vaccine series may carry a higher risk of temporary side effects but its immunity boost kicks in sooner than Pfizer’s series, likely due to the doses being given over a shorter period of time, Foster says.
“Both vaccines are very good,” Foster says. “The Moderna vaccine does kick in a bit sooner, but preliminary data that we have shows that the protection from the Pfizer vaccine may stick around a little longer.”
Preliminary data does give the protection edge to Pfizer: Roughly 75% effectiveness at preventing illness from omicron for children aged 6 months to 2 years, compared to 51% for Moderna’s series. For children ages 2 to 4, Pfizer’s vaccines were around 82% effective against omicron, compared to Moderna’s effectiveness of 37% for kids aged 2 to 5.
But that data may be misleading. “It’s difficult because a lot of the Pfizer data was collected before omicron, and for the Moderna data, more was collected after omicron,” says Foster.
Overall, Acker suggests “getting whichever vaccine is available.” Either one, she says, will do the job and do it well.
“What’s great about both vaccines is that we know they’re both effective at mounting good antibody responses,” she says.
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Court Revives Block Of Vaccine Mandate For Federal Workers
Kevin Mcgill
NEW ORLEANS In a reversal for President Joe Biden, a federal appeals court in New Orleans on Monday agreed to reconsider its own April ruling that allowed the administration to require federal employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The new order from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans vacates an earlier ruling by a three-judge panel that upheld the mandate. The new order means a block on the mandate imposed in January by a Texas-based federal judge remains in effect, while the full courts 17 judges take up the appeal.
Biden had issued an order Sept. 9 requiring that more than 3.5 million federal executive branch workers undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement in January. At the time, the White House said 98% of federal workers were already vaccinated.
Browns ruling was followed by back-and-forth rulings at the 5th Circuit.
In February, a 5th Circuit panel refused to block Browns ruling pending appeal.
Keep Following Public Health Measures
Even once you are fully vaccinated, you should continue to follow public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19covid 19 and stay safe. This includes:
- Stay at home if you have symptoms, even if they are mild
- Wear a mask where it is required
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly
- Cover your cough
- Follow guidance on how to celebrate holidays and festive events safely
- Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19covid 19 or if you have been identified as a high-risk close contact of a COVID-19covid 19 case by public health
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More: Cdc Gives The Go
Parents looking to schedule appointments can visit vaccines.gov, a website jointly run by the HHS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and VaccineFinder from Boston Children’s Hospital.
Vaccines.gov launched Tuesday, a few days earlier than planned. There are currently 1,591 locations on the website that include a mix of children’s hospitals, doctor’s offices, community sites, clinics and pop-ups offering the shots.
To use the tool, people can click on the button on the homepage that reads, “Find COVID-19 Vaccines.”
On the next page, users enter their ZIP code and click on the type of vaccine, depending on the age group they would like to receive.
It’s important to select the correct age group because Pfizer’s three-dose vaccine for kids is three micrograms each, one-tenth the dose offered to adults, while Moderna’s two-dose vaccine is 25 micrograms each, one-quarter of its adult-sized dose.
Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News contributor, said the number of locations is expected to increase to more than 10,000 in the coming weeks are more locations get their shipments delivered
“Of course, we understand there’s a lot of anxiety and parents have been waiting a long time to get these vaccines,” Brownstein said. “At some point, the supply will outstrip the demand. Any parent will have access in the coming days. It will take time to get vaccines, but there will be enough to supply.”
For Conscience Or Religious Belief
For your child to be exempted due to conscience or religious belief, you must contact your local public health unit:
- Let your local public health unit know you wish to have your child exempted from the required vaccines.
- The PHU will:
- advise you on the steps to take in completing a valid exemption, including watching the vaccine education video.
Once its complete, you must get it signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario.
Make copies of your:
- signed Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form
You will need to submit the original versions.
It is important that you keep your copies because the ministry and local public health units do not keep records of your exemption documents.
Submit the original copies of your Vaccine Education Certificate and signed Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form to your local public health unit. Contact them to find out how.
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How Many Doses Have Been Donated By Each Country
These charts show the cumulative number of doses donated to the COVAX initiative by different countries, broken down by whether the donations have only been announced, actually donated, or delivered to the recipients. This is only available for a select number of countries for which the COVID-19 Task Force reports the necessary data.
The three following charts show the number of doses donated, adjusted for:
COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access
COVAX is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations , and the World Health Organization . COVAX coordinates international resources to enable low-to-middle-income countries equitable access to COVID-19 tests, therapies, and vaccines.
Are The Vaccines Safe
Yes. Vaccines for childhood diseases are very safe. Sometimes, a vaccine will cause mild side effects like a sore arm/leg or low fever. A bad side effect is not likely to happen. Childhood diseases are a greater health risk to children than the vaccines. Ask your healthcare provider to tell you about risks and side effects.
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If Your Child Is Not Up
Children and youth who are not up-to-date on other vaccines can still receive a COVID-19covid 19 vaccine.
If you or your child are behind on immunizations, we encourage you to contact your health care provider to get up-to-date.
Children between five and 11 years of age may be recommended to wait 14 days before or after the administration of another vaccine before getting their COVID-19covid 19 vaccine. Speak with your health care provider if you have questions.
Learn more about vaccines for children.
Where Can Teens Get Immunizations
Teens should go to their regular doctor, nurse, school-based health center, or clinic for immunizations. They may also be able to get immunizations at a local pharmacy, their local health department, or a vaccine clinic.
Here are some links to help you find a provider:
- Call Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 for help finding free or low-cost immunizations.
- Talk to your clinic or insurance company to find out what’s covered.
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What Are The Recommended Immunizations For Teens
Healthcare providers recommend immunizations for teens to protect against serious diseases. Some of the recommended immunizations for teens are required to attend school in Washington. Read more about that on the school requirements page. The official recommended vaccine list is created by the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
All teens need to be up to date with immunizations in the chart.
| Vaccine | |
|---|---|
| 2 or 3, depending on age at first dose | No |
| 2 | Yes |
Teens with chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes, and teens that have weak immune systems, may need more immunizations. Check with your teen’s healthcare provider to find out if they need the following immunizations:
Age or other health conditions may change the number of doses or times when vaccines are due. Always check with your healthcare provider to find out what your child needs.
Vaccines For Your Young Children
During the early years of life, your children need vaccines to protect them from 14 diseases that can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children increase the risk of disease not only for their own children, but also for other children and adults throughout the entire community. For example, vulnerable newborns too young to receive the maximum protection of vaccines or people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant recipients or some people with cancer, are also at higher risk of disease.
Flu vaccines are recommended for children 6 months and older. Getting the flu vaccine for yourself and your children can help protect infants younger than 6 months old who are too young to be vaccinated. Ask your health care provider about getting a yearly flu vaccine to protect against flu.Parents can find out what vaccines their children need and when by reviewing CDCs recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule.
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Find Local And State Vaccination Sites
The , a joint operation by the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine, is now open and offering pediatric vaccinations by appointment only. Retail pharmacies and local and state sites offer vaccination and booster appointments. Some locations may offer walk-up vaccination times.
In Florida, Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital offers dose one of the COVID-19 vaccine to inpatients age 12 and older. We are also offering the pediatric vaccine to children ages 5-11 in the General Pediatrics Clinic and inpatient settings. Please visit Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital COVID-19 page for the latest information.
Families of pediatric patients in the Washington, D.C., area can find information about adolescent and pediatric vaccination from the DC government vaccination page.
Why You Should Vaccinate
Infectious diseases can spread among children and adolescents at school who are not vaccinated. As a parent, you can keep your kids healthy with routine health care and vaccines. Make sure your school-age children are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
Infection from certain diseases can kill or seriously harm your child. Vaccines use weakened or killed virus or bacteria to trigger your childs natural immune response to provide long-term protection against a disease . It is like a rehearsal for the immune system, so your child is prepared if they are exposed to the “real” disease.
Vaccinations are safe
Vaccinations do not cause autism.
Scientific studies and reviews continue to show no relationship between vaccines and autism.
Some people wont develop immunity to a disease after being vaccinated, but the vaccine itself cannot infect someone. If a vaccinated individual does contract a disease which they were vaccinated against, their illness will be less severe.
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Consent For Children Ages 5
Currently, children ages 5-11 can only get the Pfizer vaccine.
A legally authorized representative must give permission for vaccination of a child 5-11 years of age. This can be done by completing a written consent form that the minor can bring to their vaccination appointment.
Please contact the vaccination location for more information on written consent, or a copy of the consent form below.
Providers are not required to use this form. Providers may continue to follow their regular practice for obtaining consent, including verbal consent, provided all the conditions of the EUA are met .
- to present at your childs appointment
- Get tips for how to support your child before, during, and after the visit
- Talk to your child before the visit about what to expect
- Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child may have
- Comfort your child during the appointment
- After your childs COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 1530 minutes so your child can be observed in case they have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.
Where To Get Childhood Covid
The Saskatchewan Health Authority will be offering pediatric vaccines across the province in 141 communities.
Childhood vaccination booking for SHA clinics will be available starting at 8 a.m., Tuesday, November 23. Information on booking your appointment or finding a clinic near you is available.
Clinics will also be delivered in a number of schools with a parent or guardian in attendance to support the children. Information on in-school clinics will be shared with parents and students directly. There will be specialized clinics for children with additional needs .
Vaccinations will also be available for five- to 11-year-olds from Indigenous Services Canada , Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and participating pharmacies.
Information on locations of participating pharmacies filter) is available.
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Do I Need To Give Consent For My Child To Get Vaccinated
Parents generally need to consent to children receiving medical care, including Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially true for younger children.
However, depending on which state you live in, there may be a legal precedent for teens and other kids to request the vaccine without parental permission.
Tennessee’s vaccine director, Michelle Fiscus, was fired in August, allegedly in part for sending out a memo detailing the state’s “mature minor doctrine,” which explains how minors may seek medical care without the consent of their parents.
Preparing Children And Teens For Vaccination
The experience of getting a COVID-19 vaccine will be very similar to the experience of getting routine vaccines. Use our tips to support your child before, during, and after routine vaccinations when they get a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Talk to your child before vaccination about what to expect.
- It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.
- Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child may have.
- To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, your child should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.
- After your childs COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 1530 minutes so your child can be observed in case they have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.
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