When Do Kids Get Vaccines

Do Kids Even Need A Covid

Children are much less likely to get severely sick from the virus than adults, but some children have died or been hospitalized with COVID-19. The omicron wave was specifically impactful on children, leading to an increase in hospitalizations as the nation’s case count skyrocketed. State reports show that about 12.8 million kids have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

An infection, even a mild case, can disrupt a child’s ability to attend school or socialize, and kids can pass the infection to more-vulnerable family or community members. Kids can also experience dangerous complications from COVID-19, including long COVID and MIS-C.

“There is an urgent need to collect more age-specific data to assess the severity of illness related to new variants as well as potential longer-term effects,” the AAP said in a March report.

There are also racial disparities when it comes to how sick children get from COVID-19. Kids ages 5 to 11 who are Black, Native American or Hispanic are three times more likely than white children to be hospitalized with COVID-19, according to an FDA advisory panel presentation given when the delta variant was circulating. Of that group, about 1 in 3 required admission to an intensive care unit.

Can I Let My Child Get The Chickenpox Instead Of Getting The Vaccine

Although chickenpox is a mild disease that many parents will remember from childhood , some children will develop serious cases with complications that can be fatal or cause permanent disabilities. The vaccine eliminates the risk of complications from the disease, and prevents children from infecting their siblings, friends and classmates.

Can A Vaccine Cause My Baby To Get Sick

Vaccines are extremely safe and serious side effects are rare. Almost all sickness or discomfort after vaccination is minor and temporary, such as a soreness at the injection site or mild fever. These can often be controlled by taking over-the-counter pain medication as advised by a doctor, or applying a cold cloth to the injection site. If parents are concerned, they should contact their doctor or health care provider.

Extensive studies and research show that there is no evidence of a link between vaccines and autism.

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What Happens After The Immunization

Your child might have a fever, soreness, and some swelling and redness at the injection area. Check with your doctor to see if you can give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain or fever and to find out the right dose.

A warm, damp cloth or a heating pad on the injection site may help reduce soreness, as can moving or using the arm.

Give Consent At The Vaccine Appointment

Consent is required for children ages 5 to 11 to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Consent for a child can be provided by a:

• Parent, legal guardian or foster parent
• Custodial caregiver like a grandparent or relative

Only 1 parent, legal guardian or foster parent is required to give consent. You’ll be asked to provide consent at the clinic location.

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Your Child’s Vaccination Schedule

Vaccination schedules are carefully studied and designed to give the best possible protection for children against serious diseases.

Canadians should consult with their health care provider or public health authority to determine when they should visit, and learn about the measures that have been put in place to safely deliver immunization services during COVID-19.

Vaccination schedules can vary slightly, depending on the province or territory you live in. This means that some provinces or territories will vaccinate at a different age.

Typically, your child will be vaccinated:

• between birth to 2 months
• at 4 months
• between 12 months and 18 months
• between 4 to 6 years of age

For some of the vaccines, your child will require more than 1 dose at different times. This is needed because for some vaccines, the first dose does not provide as much immunity as possible.

More than 1 dose is needed to build more complete immunity. The DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type B, is an example.

In other cases, the initial series of shots that children receive as part of their infant immunizations helps them build immunity. After a while, however, that immunity begins to wear off.

At this point, a “booster” dose is needed to bring immunity levels back up. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is a good example.

Tetanus Diphtheria And Pertussis Vaccine

Tdap is a three-in-one vaccine. It protects people against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

Immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario, unless exempted.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus or lockjaw is a serious disease that can happen if dirt with the tetanus germ gets into a cut in the skin. Tetanus germs are found everywhere, usually in soil, dust and manure. It does not spread from person to person. Tetanus causes cramping of the muscles in the neck, arms, leg and stomach, and painful convulsions which can be severe enough to break bones. Even with early treatment, tetanus kills two out of every 10 people who get it.

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a serious disease of the nose, throat and skin. It causes sore throat, fever and chills. It can be complicated by breathing problems, heart failure and nerve damage. Diphtheria kills about one out of every 10 people who get the disease. It is most often passed to others through coughing and sneezing.

What is pertussis?

For more information talk to your health care provider, contact your local Public Health Unit or visit ontario.ca/vaccines.

Some immunizations are required for children to attend school in Ontario. Please see the school immunization checklist for more information.

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How Do Vaccines Work

When you receive a vaccine, it helps your body to create antibodies. Antibodies are the body’s defenses that fight off any foreign substances . Although your body can create antibodies on its own, many of the vaccine-preventable diseases cause severe illness and even death before your body can produce enough antibodies.

Immunization schedule

Vaccines work best when given at certain ages. For example, health care professionals do not usually administer the measles vaccine until a child is at least 1 year old. If a child receives the measles vaccine earlier than that, it may not work as well. On the other hand, the DTaP vaccine should be given over a period of time in a series of properly spaced doses. More information about the specific diseases your child is vaccinated against is listed later in this article.

Following is a description of the routine childhood immunization schedule. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes the schedule each year.

Measles Mumps And Rubella Vaccine

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine – given at 12 months

The MMR vaccine is a three-in-one needle that protects against measles, mumps and rubella . It should be given to children soon after their first birthday and a second dose at 4-6 years of age with the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine.

Immunization against measles, mumps and rubella is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario, unless exempted.

This vaccine should also be given to adults who are not protected against measles, mumps or rubella. Pregnant women who have been told that they are not protected against rubella, should receive MMR vaccine as soon as they are no longer pregnant.

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?

What is rubella ?

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Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccination

• Adolescents not at increased risk age 1623 years based on shared clinical decision-making:
• Bexsero: 2-dose series at least 1 month apart
• Trumenba: 2-dose series at least 6 months apart if dose 2 is administered earlier than 6 months, administer a 3rd dose at least 4 months after dose 2.

Special situations

Anatomic or functional asplenia , persistent complement component deficiency, complement inhibitor use:

• Bexsero: 2-dose series at least 1 month apart
• Trumenba: 3-dose series at 0, 12, 6 months

Bexsero and Trumenba are not interchangeable the same product should be used for all doses in a series. For MenB booster dose recommendations for groups listed under Special situations and in an outbreak setting and additional meningococcal vaccination information, see .

When Can Kids Under 12 Get The Covid

Some 28 million American children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday, November 2, that it is formally recommending use of the vaccine for that age group, following a unanimous show of support from its panel of vaccine advisers. That marked the final regulatory step after the Food and Drug Administration issued its emergency use authorization last week.

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What To Bring To Your Appointment

For your appointment, you should bring:

• your booking confirmation code or email
• your Ontario health card, if you have one
• a letter from your school, medical provider or faith leader, if you dont have an Ontario health card
• your immunization record, if available, to keep track of your COVID-19covid 19 vaccine
• an allergy form, if you have a suspected allergy to the Pfizer vaccine or any of its ingredients or have had a previous allergic reaction to a vaccine
• a mask
• a support person, if needed

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Meningococcal Vaccines

Some of the most common side effects are swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the injection, along with headache, fever, or tiredness. Serious problems, such as allergic reactions, are rare.

The meningococcal vaccines contains only a small piece of the germ, so it can’t cause meningococcal disease.

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If Your Child Is Missing A Vaccine

Life can get busy and you may not be able to make every vaccination appointment for your child. Your child may also have missed vaccines from your health care provider or their school because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important to call your health care provider or local public health authority if your child missed receiving any vaccines. They can help your child get back on track with the recommended vaccination schedule. This will help to protect your child from many vaccine-preventable diseases.

If A Child Or Youth Does Not Have An Ontario Health Card

If your child does not have a health card, they can use another form of government-issued identification such as a passport or birth certificate. If they dont have one of these, you need to complete the following two steps:

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Preparing Your Child For Vaccines

Getting a vaccine can be stressful for some children. With some preparation and kid-friendly explanation, parents can help to make vaccine visits easier and less stressful. Talk to your health care provider or health unit if you have any questions about the vaccine your child will receive.

Prepare your child before the visit. Be honest. Explain that shots can pinch or sting, but that it wont hurt for long. Tell your child that vaccines are important to keep them healthy.

For younger children

• Hold your child or cuddle them on your lap.
• Use distractions like toys, bubbles, and books.

For older children

• Older children can use distractions like games, books, music, and talking about something unrelated to the vaccination. Deep breathing and/or counting, as well as keeping the arm relaxed and still may help to make the shot easier.
• For children getting their shots at school clinics, tell them to let the nurse know if they feel nervous about getting vaccinated or if they feel faint or light-headed before, during, or after the vaccination. The clinic staff can help them through the process.

Ask your health care provider or local public health unit about using topical anesthetics .

Still Have Questions About Covid

Its okay to still have questions about the vaccine. If you do, the following resources are available to help answer them:

• You can contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to speak to an experienced agent or health specialist at , available in more than 300 languages, seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• You can contact the SickKids COVID-19covid 19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids Registered Nurse through sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult, or call . Learn more from SickKids about COVID-19covid 19 vaccines for children and youth.

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Confusion After Us Judge Strikes Down Mask Mandate For Travel

Canadian government officials on Friday announced several small changes of its own to ease restrictions for international travellers that will take effect on April 25. Unvaccinated children aged five-to-11 travelling with a fully vaccinated adult will no longer need a COVID-19 test to enter Canada, while fully vaccinated travellers, and any kids under 12 accompanying them, will no longer need to provide their quarantine plans when they enter the country.

When vaccinated people arrive in Canada, they won’t need to wear a mask for 14 days, keep a list of contacts or report COVID-19 symptoms.

With files from CBC News

If Your Child Is Covid

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been identified as a close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, your child:

• Should wait to get their vaccine and should not attend a vaccine clinic until their isolation period is over
• Can receive the COVID-19 vaccine series once they no longer show symptoms of COVID-19 infection

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What About Side Effects

Overall, Pfizer’s clinical trial data suggests younger children will experience fewer side effects than adolescents or young adults. Side effects that did occur, such as fever or redness around where the shot was given, “were mostly mild to moderate, and short lived.”

Much of the FDA and CDC panels’ discussions focused on weighing the benefits of the vaccine against the potential risk of rare cases of myocarditis, a heart inflammation side effect. While the exact rate of myocarditis after the vaccine in 5- to 11-year-olds remains unknown, it is rare enough that zero cases turned up in the clinical trial. The CDC’s advisers concluded the risk was “likely lower” in younger children than adolescents.

Pfizer studied the vaccine’s safety in some 3,100 children who received the shots, a trial that FDA officials say is larger than most studies typically used to license other vaccines for children. Safety monitoring in more than 11 million adolescents and teens who are now fully vaccinated have also turned up no new safety issues.

“It’s a very important thing to recognize that the very low risk of myocarditis with vaccination pales in comparison to the very high risk for severe heart disease related to COVID and MIS-C,” Dr. Matthew Harris of Cohen Children’s Medical Center told CBS News.

Immunization Records And Statistics

Immunization records are kept by Alberta Health Services at the health zone level. If it has been more than 7 to 10 years since your last immunization, AHS may not have a copy of the record.

• In Alberta, the last childhood immunization is provided in Grade 9.
• If you have questions about your immunization records, contact Health Link at
• Contact the Immunization Records Request Office in your health zone to obtain your records.

Statistics on childhood immunization rates based on population in Alberta, are available on the Interactive Health Data Application.

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Diseases With Vaccination Available

From September 2019 the HPV vaccine will be offered to 12 to 13 year old boys and girls

Some babies in high-risk groups get a BCG vaccine for protection against tuberculosis when they are born. Higher risk infants might also get extra vaccinations against hepatitis B.

Your doctor or health visitor will give you more information if your child needs protection.

• Your local doctor

What Are The Vaccine

Hib vaccine

• This vaccine protects against infection with the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria.
• These bacteria cause meningitis and may cause brain damage. Also these bacteria can infect the blood, joints, bones, muscles, throat, and the cover surrounding the heart. This is especially dangerous for babies. Before the vaccine era, this was an extremely common cause of acquired brain injury in children and infants. The Hib vaccine does not protect against the influenza virus and does not protect against the flu.

DTaP vaccine

The D in DTaP stands for diphtheria.

• Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a bacterium that attacks the throat, mouth, and nose. This is a very contagious disease , but occurrences have been rare since the vaccine was created.
• Diphtheria can form a gray web that may completely cover the windpipe and cause someone to stop breathing.
• Also, if this disease is not treated right away, it could cause pneumonia, heart failure, or paralysis.

The T in DTaP stands for tetanus.

• Tetanus is an infection caused by a type of bacteria found in dirt, gravel, and rusty metal. It usually enters the body through a cut.
• Infection with tetanus bacteria causes the muscles to spasm . If tetanus attacks the jaw muscles, it causes lockjaw, which is the inability to open and close your mouth.
• Tetanus can also cause the breathing muscles to spasm, with potentially fatal consequences.

The P in DTaP stands for pertussis.

Polio vaccine

MMR vaccine

The first M in MMR stands for measles.

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