Kids doses, COVID vaccine side effects and California schools: Answers to your questions

The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently gave the green light to vaccinate children ages 5 to 11 for COVID-19.

As of Nov. 3, there were more than 570,000 cases among children 5 to 17 years old in California, according to state data. There were 27 reported deaths in this age group.

“COVID-19 cases in children can result in hospitalizations, deaths, MIS-C (inflammatory syndromes) and long-term complications, such as ‘long COVID,’ in which symptoms can linger for months,” the CDC said in a statement.

The agency said that vaccinating kids will protect them from getting infected and reduce their risk of severe disease, post-COVID symptoms and hospitalization.

“As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky.

Here’s what we know so far about the Pfizer COVID vaccines for youngsters 5 to 11 years old:

Will California have its own panel review the vaccinations for kids?

California has a panel called the Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which includes California physician scientists who assess vaccine safety before its distribution in the state.

The group, which is now joined by other western states, announced on Nov. 3 that it found the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine safe and effective for 5 to 11-year-old children.

The same panel previously confirmed the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine for kids 12 to 15 years old.

Is the dose for kids the same as the one for older teens and adults?

No. The vaccine that is approved and authorized for children 5 to 11 has one-third of the dose given to individuals 12 and up.

More specifically, the pediatric vaccine will have 10 micrograms, whereas, the vaccine for older teens and adults has 30 micrograms.

Will kids need to get vaccinated twice?

Yes. Similar to the Pfizer vaccine for older individuals, the Pfizer shot for young kids is a two-dose series. They will need to get the shot two times, three weeks apart, according to the FDA.

Are there side effects?

Some children may experience side effects with the vaccine, which the CDC says are “normal signs that their body is building protection.”

According to the CDC, the side effects were mild in clinical vaccine trials, with sore arms being the most common. The reactions were also similar to what adults and older children and teens experienced with the COVID vaccine.

These side effects include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, tiredness, chills and fever.

What is myocarditis and pericarditis? And is it a side effect too?

Myocarditis and pericarditis are the inflammation of the heart muscle and tissue, respectively. The chance of it occurring due to the COVID vaccine is very low, according to Pfizer.

The FDA found that male individuals 12 through 17 had the highest risk of getting these symptoms and it typically appeared after the second dose of the vaccine.

According to the agency, “the benefits of the vaccine would outweigh its risks in children 5 through 11 years of age.”

The FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the safety of the vaccine, which includes evaluating myocarditis and pericarditis in kids 5 to 11.

Will my kid need the vaccine to go to school?

Yes, but not immediately.

According to the California Department of Education, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be on the list of required vaccinations for in-person schools, alongside polio and measles. This applies to public, public charter and private schools.

The department said, depending on the federal government, the requirement will be in effect for students grades seven to 12 on July 1, 2022. Requirements for children in kindergarten to sixth grade, which includes kids ages 5 to 11, will be implemented after.

According to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s school vaccine mandate, “local health jurisdictions and local education agencies are encouraged to implement requirements ahead of a statewide requirement based on their local circumstances.”

So be sure to stay updated with your child’s school and local public health department.

Can I get my kids vaccinated now?

Yes. You should call your pediatrician before booking.

Select pharmacies, hospitals and medical clinics are now offering the vaccines for children 5 to 11.

If you’re in or around the Sacramento region, here are some places you can find vaccines for your young ones.

You can also find vaccines near you by searching on vaccines.gov, texting your postal code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233.

This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 12:55 PM.