Vaccines for Kids: The Forgotten Piece in the Puzzle
Why kids need COVID vaccines too and when they can get them
As we hustle to put our lives back together with the help of the newly released vaccines, we need to remember that not everyone can be vaccinated yet. Those under 16 are still not eligible for COVID vaccines and clinical trials for these groups are currently being conducted. Though it may not be entirely necessary for children to be vaccinated for normalcy, vaccinations for kids can reinforce our current measures and protect children from the still circulating virus. Children still contribute to 13% of COVID cases in America, a lower chance of infection or illness does not make kids immune to the virus, and they need to be made a priority in the vaccination process.
The Importance of Vaccines for Children
COVID-19 has been having some seriously understated effects on children. Not only has the pandemic affected the mental health of kids around the world, but the infectious disease has hospitalized over 13,500 kids in the United States. Higher hospitalization rates of infected children are found in black and Latino communities; “the rate of COVID-19 hospitalization is five times higher for Black children and eight times higher among Latino or Hispanic children than it is among white kids”. This disproportionate effect of minority children should be news enough that COVID can and will take a toll on children and people of color if vaccinations for them are made to seem of lesser importance. Kids can also increase transmission of the virus to higher-risk individuals, even though they do less than adults, and contribute to the overall rate of infection in the community.
The only reason that vaccines for children may not be necessary is that herd immunity (immunity in the population as a whole) may be achieved without them or at least infection rates may be low enough for a sense of normalcy as long as adults receive vaccinations. Herd immunity is when a sufficient amount of the population has been vaccinated for the circulation of the virus to become null or very low so that people without immunization will not get infected either. Though the percentage of vaccinated people for her immunity to be achieved is not fixed, Dr. Fauci did estimate a number between 70-90% of the population and children make up 24% of America’s population. Vaccinating children is a key part of achieving herd immunity if the percentage for COVID immunity is over 76%.
If herd immunity cannot be achieved, which is likely considering COVID’s current progress, vaccinating children becomes a key part of protecting children from serious symptoms and curbing infection rates in the community. It is important to note that life can return to normal without herd immunity as long as infection rates are low enough and the symptoms of COVID become less severe with the protection of vaccines. However, if we do ever want to eradicate COVID from circulation as a whole- even if there are no serious symptom developments with the help of vaccines - children will also need vaccinations to prevent transmission.
Clinical Trials
Currently, clinical trials of the vaccine for children are underway. Since clinical safety has already been proved in adults and we know that there are no bizarre immune reactions associate with the vaccine, clinical trials of the vaccine for children are on a smaller scale. Clinical trials of the vaccine for teenagers are progressing with more priority than those for younger children because of the closer likeness of teens to adults (which simplifies experimentation) and the greater risks of the virus for teens (Scientific American). The virus has an effect on teens that is comparable to that of adults more than to that of kids (who have a stronger immune response to the virus), and teenagers are more likely to socialize and transmit the virus than younger children. Vaccines for those 12+ are expected to be approved by late summer, but children 11 years of age and under will probably have to wait until winter before receiving COVID vaccines.
It is important to note that clinical trials for the vaccine, in general, will only determine short-term effects of the vaccine and not long-term ones, which is why trials for kids especially have to proceed with caution when it comes to the risks vs. benefits of the vaccination. This is also why many of the vaccination companies are testing the possibility of a lower vaccine dosage for kids to guarantee a lower chance of side effects. Lower vaccine doses for kids are also possible because children naturally have stronger immune systems that need less reinforcement and protection from the virus.
On March 31, 2021, Pfizer released the news that its vaccine had seen a 100% efficacy rate in a trial group of children 12-15 years old. The vaccine is already approved for those 16 and older, but its efficacy rate in the older age group is lower - around 95%. Though the higher efficacy rate could be attributed to its smaller clinical trial size, 2260 participants for the 12-15 year group vs. 55,000 participants for the 16+ group, these results are still very promising. The dose of this vaccine for kids 12-15 is identical to that of those for adults: 30 micrograms. Pfizer has also announced a week ago that it has started clinical trials of the vaccination for children 6 months to 11 years old. The vaccination doses for this younger group may be smaller, with Pfizer currently conducting trials of a 3 microgram dose, a 10 microgram dose, and larger doses between 10 and 30 micrograms (CNBC). Though Pfizer’s current trial data shows success, the vaccine will still have to be FDA approved before being administered in children 12-15 years of age, which may take a few months.
Moderna has also begun testing its vaccines in children and teenagers of ages 12 to 17 years old since December. In mid-March, Moderna also announced that it will begin clinical trials for its vaccine in children of ages 6 months to 11 years old. Moderna’s vaccine is known for its significantly higher dosage than that of Pfizer’s: 100 micrograms. This is why Moderna is focusing on testing lower dosage rates in children, with children under age 2 in the trials receiving 25, 50, and 100 microgram dosages and children over age 2 in the trials receiving 50 and 100 microgram dosages (Oregon Live).
Other vaccines that are currently going through clinical trials for children include the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and the AstraZeneca one. Johnson and Johnson is testing the vaccine in children ages 12-17 years old, starting with older teens of 16-17 years of age. AstraZeneca’s vaccine has been undergoing clinical trials in children 6-17 years of age in Britain as of February. Additionally, China’s Sivoc vaccine has submitted preliminary data of its success in children ages 3 and above (KTLA). All these clinical trials bear good news: vaccines for kids are on their way.
In the Mean Time…
While kids wait their turn for vaccines, there is still work that can be done. Parents need to continuously be encouraged to get vaccinated and get their children vaccinated when possible, to protect their children and help lower transmission rates. Republican voters and families living in rural areas have been more hesitant to get vaccinated/get their kids vaccinates with people like Candace Owens falsely preaching to them about vaccine dangers and people still wrongly believing that “vaccines cause autism”. These families need to be educated more about the benefits of getting vaccinated through government programs and local support. This does not mean that the vaccine is for everyone: those with underlying health conditions may want to consult with their doctors and pediatricians before getting vaccinated or getting their kids vaccinated.
As we wait for the vaccine to come out, continue to let your kids socialize with masks outdoors and play if possible. Children do not have to be isolated till vaccinated- they can go to school and spend time outdoors with others if done safely. The pandemic may even end before children are vaccinated if infection rates are low enough, but vaccines for children accelerate the end of the pandemic even more. As we take on this last stretch of this pandemic, remember that vaccines for children will act as reinforcement to the pandemic response and provide children with additional protection from the virus, making them an important part of our response.