Since becoming eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, more than 600,000 children ages 12 to 15 have received the shot. While most kids want to get vaccinates, some parents still have questions.
Sunaina Suhag, MD, FAAP, ARC Pediatrician recently offered answers to tough questions from concerned parents in a discussion on VeryWellHealth.com.
The vaccines are safe and effective
The Pfizer trial indicated the vaccine was 100% effective and created robust antibody responses in 2,260 adolescent participants. Because the Pfizer vaccine uses mRNA technology—not live virus—it's not possible for your child to get sick with COVID-19 from the vaccine.
The vaccine in adolescents "appears to be very effective—even more so than in their older counterparts. During the Pfizer trial, there were zero cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated kids. That's outstanding," says Dr. Suhag.
Vaccines are the best defense against COVID
The COVID-19 vaccines are currently the most effective method for preventing illness and stopping the spread of the virus. Experts say that immunizing adolescents will protect a large and important part of the population and bring the U.S. one step closer to herd immunity and a return to normalcy. "Kids want to get vaccinated …They are worried for their more vulnerable family members and they've sacrificed quite a lot to keep our community safe," Dr. Suhag says. "Contracting COVID-19 is not without risk for these kids, and they want to protect themselves, too."
Still have questions?
Experts recommend speaking with a trusted pediatrician, pharmacist, or another health professional to make the best decision about whether to get vaccinated. If you still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for your child, visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page or call the ARC COVID-19 Hotline, 866-453-4525.
Schedule your child's COVID-19 vaccine today
If you are ready to schedule your child's (12 and older) vaccine today, do so online at ARC MyChart.com. New patients to ARC can complete the online registration form to get notified when we have appointment slots and vaccine doses available. You will receive an email with a link to the scheduling page when vaccine is available.