Many Parents Left Wondering About COVID Vaccine And Children: 'When It Comes To My Kids, I'm A Little Less Comfortable'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported children accounted for more than 22% of COVID cases, up from 3% one year ago.
The reasoning for the increase is multifaceted – adult vaccinations, loosening of restrictions and new variants. CBS2s Dr. Max Gomez says its time to dispel the notion that kids are immune to COVID.
"They're not... kids can be asymptomatic spreaders," Gomez said. "In order to really tamp down the pandemic... vaccination in kids is essential."
"I'm totally for vaccines... when it comes to my kids, I'm a little less comfortable," said Clifton resident Jennefer Sun.
"I don't think its very necessary," said Robert Christian of Fair Lawn.
Before the end of the month, the FDA could authorize use of Pfizer's vaccine in adolescents, ages 12 – 15. Gare Winthip, 15, fits the bill, but wouldn't choose to get it.
"If there any long term effects, I don't want to chance that," he said.
COVID VACCINE
- New York State book online here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX
- New York City book online here or call 877-VAX-4NYC
- Track NYC vaccinations by zip code
- Nassau County more info here
- Suffolk County more info here
- Westchester County more info here
- New Jersey book online here or call 1-855-568-0545
- Connecticut book online here
"This is same vaccine used for adults," Gomez said. "It's extraordinarily effective."
But why weren't the vaccines tested in children sooner? Dr. Max says unless they are the target group getting sick, you never want to test in children.
"You don't want to start with pregnant women, children until you know its safe in adults," Gomez said.
Even without an approved vaccine for kids, the world around us is reopening, But for many families, it's business as usual.
"You're not easing your restrictions?" CBS2's Vanessa Murdock asked.
"Not at all," Christian said.
"In many ways our life is still as it was three months, six months ago," one mother said. She told Murdock she's still filling out waivers and making sure her kids wear masks and keep their distance.
"I think parents should be concerned about their kids," said Dr. Stanley H. Weiss, professor of epidemiology at Rutgers.
Weiss says some variants transmit more effectively to younger people.
"And to increase the risk of disease in younger people better than the original strain," he said. "If I had a child, I would not allow them to engage in close contact sports right now."
Dr. Weiss would wait for that, until there is a child vaccine.
Gomez shared Moderna has clinical trials happening now to test the efficacy of their vaccine in kids.
