With COVID vaccines now available for kids ages 5-11, parents may understandably have many questions and concerns, and it may be challenging to differentiate between facts and misinformation as they make this decision for their kids. Our children’s health experts respectfully discuss COVID vaccination for younger kids to help you and your family make an informed decision. For more information and resources, please visit: https://www.mottchildren.org/covid-19-vaccines-adolescents-children For Part I, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD3cT0IlOPQ Timestamped Questions 0:00 Start 5:06 The FDA made its decision based on data from a clinical trial of the vaccine in children. What do those data show about the vaccine’s impact on infections, symptoms and hospitalizations in younger kids? 11:03 Were the reactions and side effects seen in the kids in the clinical trial the same as what we’ve seen in adults and older kids? 12:55 Were there breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated kids in the clinical trial? Were they less severe, like they are in adults? 13:35 Some parents may be wondering about a kind of heart inflammation called myocarditis that has been reported in older children receiving the Pfizer vaccine. What about for younger kids? How big is this risk, what’s the treatment, and how does this compare to the risk of getting the same heart inflammation if a child catches COVID? 20:21 Is the vaccine safe for a child who has had a heart transplant over the last few years as it relates to the risk of myocarditis? 21:39 What’s the difference between the dose that FDA has authorized for the 5-11 age group, and what teens and adults are already getting? 23:00 What is the reason for 5 being the starting age for this vaccine? Would it be better to wait a bit longer rather than getting them vaccinated as soon as they turn 5? 24:09 Why do children need a smaller dose of the vaccine? If my child is turning 12 in late November, for example, should I just wait for the bigger dose - will that be more effective? 24:56 Is there a concern of increased vaccine reactions in children who were previously diagnosed with MIS-C, in cases in which children recovered fully and have no known cardiac abnormalities? 26:56 What’s the vaccination process for the 5-11 age range - is it two doses, with a few weeks between, and then they’re considered fully vaccinated? 27:27 If a parent is ready to get their child vaccinated, where will they be able to get it? 29:14 What are early signs of myocarditis that parents could look out for at home after their child receives the vaccine? What about after having COVID-which can also cause myocarditis? 32:05 If a child gets vaccinated, will they shed virus particles that could affect classmates or young siblings? 33:28 I’ve heard that some other countries are recommending kids only get the first shot and not the second to reduce side effect risks - what are your thoughts on this? 35:26 How many kids were in this trial and how long this was studied? Is that sample size large enough to be sure it’s safe? 36:40 Do we know the race and ethnicities of the children who participated in the trial? 37:13 Have there been young children with asthma or allergies in the Pfizer COVID vaccine trials? 38:52 If a child is generally afraid of needles, or has special needs such as autism, anxiety or a developmental condition, what can parents do to help them before and during the vaccination? (How to help kids prepare for getting a shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taGMUZWA1Yw) 40:31 If a child gets vaccinated do they still need to wear a mask in public, or in school? 41:22 For a child who had a positive COVID test a few weeks ago, how long should they wait to get vaccinated? 42:47 What’s the likelihood of a vaccinated child or teen who was exposed at school lunch or classroom to actually get sick with COVID? 43:54 For adults and teens who are vaccinated, one of the big upsides is that they don’t have to quarantine at home and miss school or work if they come in contact with a person who has COVID. They just have to wear a mask and get tested. Will that be true for children too? 45:20 I’ve heard some kids experience long haul COVID, is this true? 48:31 What about children who have undergone chemo, have a history of blood clots or other medical condition or are preparing for surgery? Are there any reasons not to vaccinate a child? 50:52 Will immunity wear off in kids over time like it has in adults, and if so will there need to be a booster/annual COVID shot? 53:05 Can you discuss the role children play in spreading COVID within families and communities? 55:32 My child is young and healthy. I don’t understand why I should take the risk of side effects from a vaccine since kids are at lower risk of getting severely sick. #COVIDVaccine #COVID19 #ChildrensHealth #MichiganMedicine #EveryShotCounts