(07/07/2022)

As you may already be aware, the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all children ages 6 months and older. The recent FDA authorization of the vaccine for kids under 5 allows us to finally reach a large and vulnerable segment of our population. During the Winter 2021-22 Omicron surge, children under 5 were hospitalized with the virus at five times the rate they were during the Fall 2021 Delta surge.

 

Answer:  Infants and children 6 months of age and older are eligible for the vaccine.

 

Answer:  Both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines were authorized for this age group, with slight differences between the two. Moderna’s is a two-dose series of vaccine for children 6 months of age through age 5, using one-quarter the adult dosage. It has an estimated effectiveness which varies based on age. The Pfizer vaccine is a three-dose primary series that is one-tenth the adult dosage and is authorized for use with children ages 6 months through age 4. It has an estimated effectiveness of 80% after the third dose.

 

Question:  What are the side effects?

Answer: Side effects were generally mild, and no serious side effects were identified. DPH has included a convenient chart on de.gov/youth vaccine explaining the differences between the two vaccines and I’m happy to discuss this with you further to determine the best choice for your child.

For Moderna’s vaccine, the most frequently reported side effects across all age groups were:  pain, redness and swelling at the injection site; fever; and underarm (or groin) swelling/tenderness of lymph nodes in the same arm (or thigh) as the injection. In clinical trial participants 6 through 36 months of age, the most commonly reported side effects also included irritability/crying, sleepiness, and loss of appetite. In clinical trial participants 37 months through 5 years of age, the most commonly reported side effects also included fatigue, headache, muscle ache, chills, nausea/vomiting and joint stiffness. 

With Pfizer’s vaccine, the most commonly reported side effects in clinical trial participants 6 through 23 months of age were irritability, decreased appetite, fever and pain, tenderness, redness and swelling at the injection site. These side effects were also reported for the vaccine recipients 2 through 4 years age, in addition to fever, headache and chills.

Importantly, no cases of heart inflammation (myocarditis or pericarditis) were reported.

 

Question:  How many doses?

Answer:  Moderna’s is a two-dose series of vaccine, which is one-quarter the adult dosage, and estimated effectiveness varies based on age. The Pfizer vaccine is a three-dose primary series that is one-tenth the adult dosage and has an estimated effectiveness of 80% after the third dose.

 

Answer:  A recent CDC study found that the odds of an infant below the age of six months being hospitalized because of COVID-19 is reduced to around 60% if the mother received two shots of either mRNA vaccine [Pfizer or Moderna].  As protection wanes, it is important to protect infants from the risk of infection and serious illness.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has information available to help you communicate directly with your patient families. These resources are free and easy to download and print (need hyperlink to resource page for providers).

We hope you will help us get as many children vaccinated as possible. With your support, we can continue to share the message that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense in preventing serious illness. Check de.gov/youthvaccine for the most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children.