Once the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 is approved, parents urged to vaccinate children to lower cases in schools

Once the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 is approved, health experts urge parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible in an effort to improve the general safety and reduce the number of cases in the schools.

The latest to join on the list urging parents to get their children vaccinated is Dr. Linda Bell with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control who used the weekly COVID-19 briefing to once again say what health experts are saying in the last couple of weeks.

Reportedly, the authorization of the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 is expected to come in the upcoming days, while the vaccination process is expected to start early November.

As we already reported, lower Pfizer doses are expected to be authorized for children to further improve the vaccination rate across the country.

“The approval for this new age group will give us a huge advantage in fighting the pandemic because if we can get as many eligible children as possible vaccinated quickly, it can mean a significant reduction in cases in schools that are disrupting learning currently,” Bell said.

The FDA voted on approval based on evidence that showed the benefits of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for children ages five to 11 outweigh its risk, she said.

“Parents should be reminded that the risks among children from COVID infection are real,” she said.

“We know that in the most recent surge in cases as more seniors were vaccinated COVID cases largely shifted to younger age groups, and since it takes a full five weeks to complete the series and be considered fully vaccinated with a positive vaccine, getting kids vaccinated as early as possible could really change how our children their families in our communities can enjoy the upcoming holidays and allow children to return to school being well protected.”

Schools are also expected to allow vaccine sites at their premises, while pediatrics are slowly preparing for the vaccination process as per CDC and FDA issued guidelines. Bell added that vaccination is very important and the latest trend in decreasing cases are another proof that vaccines are working in battling the virus.

However, people are concerned that the number of deaths is not following the same trend or at least, the number of deaths is not decreasing with the same rate as new cases and hospitalizations. According to Bell, there are multiple factors thig affect this.

“First of all, there’s a lag, unfortunately, in the complications that result from COVID infections,” Bell said. Some COVID-19 patients may be hospitalized for a prolonged period of time.

Another factor, she said, is people with comorbidities who may still contract COVID-19 even as the number of new cases is dropping.

“This is why we continue to recommend being vaccinated for those who have a weakened immune system, to get the booster doses, and for those new populations for whom booster doses are recommended to go ahead and get that now,” she said.