COVID-19 & Updated Boosters Guidelines For Children – COVID-19 updated boosters are now safely available for kids 6 months of age and up! It’s important to ensure your littles get their routine vaccinations to prevent getting sick. The COVID-19 vaccine is a hot topic, so before you make your decision, learn more about the facts of the COVID-19 vaccine right here on Newsymom!
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
The COVID-19 vaccine is a hot-button topic for some out there, but there are a few things you should know when considering whether or not you’re adding the COVID-19 vaccine and booster to your children’s immunization schedule.
#1 – The vaccine is safe for children.
Before the COVID-19 vax was recommended for children, scientists performed clinical studies to ensure the vaccine was safe for children. Following the trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that the vaccines are safe for those six months and older!
Don’t panic: safety monitoring is ongoing to ensure the safety of our kiddos!
#2 – Getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine can help protect our kids from serious symptoms of COVID-19 and our more vulnerable adults, like grandparents.
There’s no way to tell how our kids will react to contracting the COVID-19 virus before getting vaccinated. However, vaccinating and boosting our kids will give their bodies the fighting chance they need when they come into contact with the virus. With school and all the extracurricular activities your kids participate in, the likelihood of coming into contact with the virus increases exponentially!
The vaccination and booster provide a means of prevention, keeping your littles from requiring hospitalization or worse! Also consider whether your children visit any senior adults age 65 and older. Grandparents and elderly folks are among the more vulnerable to serious complications from COVID-19.
#3 – Like most vaccines, children could have some kind of side effects after COVID-19 vaccination.
Just like getting your flu shot or any other vaccine, your child will likely experience mild, temporary side effects after receiving the vaccination. Some kids don’t even experience side effects; However, side effects are your body’s way of recognizing and fighting the disease!
Some side effects for children age 6 months-17 years include:
- Pain where the vax was given
- Fever/headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Crying & irritability (for babies up to 3 years)
- Sleepiness
For more possible side effects, take a look at Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine. The studies have concluded that the risks are outweighed by all of the benefits with receiving the vaccine! If you have any questions, ask your child’s pediatrician about your concerns with the vaccine.
#4 – Children receive a smaller dose of the COVID-19 vaccine than adults and teens do!
The COVID-19 vaccination schedule is done by age on the day of vaccination rather than size and weight. Hepatitis A & B vaccines operate in the same manner.
Questions about dosages? You can review tons of information on the vaccines, brands, dosages, and more right here: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters
#5 – It’s recommended that children who have already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated!
There’s evidence showing that people who get vaccinated after contracting the virus causing COVID-19 receive an added protection. For the kiddos, their next dose can be delayed after 3 months from when symptoms started or when they received a positive result on their COVID test.
#6 – Kids can receive their other routine vaccines on schedule at the same time as their COVID-19 vaccination.
You can simply add the COVID-19 vaccine or booster to your child’s wellness visit/routine vaccination schedule. It’s safe to receive at the same time, and will be administered in different locations, according to their recommendation by age!
Do your own research from credible sources!
Don’t just rely on the he-said-she-said scenarios; look up credible sources for information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, booster, and virus. Some reputable places to start online:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations COVID-19 Response
- Ohio Department of Health
- Tuscarawas County Health Department
When in doubt, ask your care provider! Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your family by asking questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to your kiddo’s health and wellness!
Review the facts, ask questions, and call the Tuscarawas County Health Department at (330) 343-5555 x. 100 when you’re ready to get your children’s physicals or vaccinations up-to-date! You can also visit them at www.tchdnow.org to see what other services they offer you and your family.
Make sure to follow along on Facebook (@tchdnow) for the latest news and safety tips to keep your family’s health checks up-to-date!
Melissa Klatt
Reporting
