The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention launched a couple of updates final week to its youngster and adolescent immunization schedule.
One replace was the addition of COVID-19 vaccines to the kid and adolescent immunization schedule.
The schedule, which is posted on the CDC’s web site, recommends that youngsters between six months of age and 18 years previous ought to obtain two doses of the first sequence between 4 and eight weeks aside — adopted by a booster dose at the very least eight weeks later.
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Kids who’re “reasonably or severely immunocompromised” ought to embody a 3rd dose within the major sequence, says the CDC.
The CDC first beneficial the COVID-19 vaccine for younger youngsters between six months and 5 years previous in June 2022.
The CDC has added COVID-19 vaccines to its youngster and adolescent immunization schedule. (AP Photograph/Matt Rourke, File)
Nonetheless, the vaccine was not formally added to the immunization schedule till simply this month.
Physician helps particular person alternative for vaccines
Dr. Marc Siegel, professor of drugs at NYU Langone Medical Middle in New York Metropolis and a Fox Information medical contributor, just isn’t in opposition to the vaccine being added to the schedule for youths 5 years and older, as a result of it can assist with insurance coverage protection and also will enhance availability for increased threat children, equivalent to these with weight problems or those that have diabetes.
“I might not add six months to 5 years to the beneficial record but — however I might make it obtainable, particularly for increased threat youngsters,” he informed Fox Information Digital in an electronic mail.
The CDC recommends that youngsters between six months previous and 18 years previous ought to obtain two doses of the first sequence, adopted by a booster. (iStock)
No matter age, Dr. Siegel believes the vaccine ought to stay a personal choice.
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“I really feel strongly that the vaccine shouldn’t be mandated,” Dr. Siegel mentioned.
He added that “there are a number of vaccines on the CDC record — together with influenza — that aren’t typically mandated by state or native well being departments.”
The CDC’s vaccine schedule is a suggestion, not a requirement. (Scott Olson/Getty Photos)
The physician identified that whereas COVID signs are typically delicate in children, repeated an infection can result in the next likelihood of mind fog, “lengthy COVID” and different problems.
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“The choice of whether or not to get the vaccine ought to be between the kid, mother or father and pediatrician,” he mentioned.
CDC can suggest photographs however can’t mandate them
The CDC’s vaccine schedule is a suggestion — not a requirement.
The addition of COVID vaccines to the schedule doesn’t imply that college students should get them earlier than enrolling in class.
“The choice of whether or not to get the vaccine ought to be between the kid, mother or father and pediatrician.”
Nonetheless, colleges do search steerage from the CDC when making choices about immunization necessities.
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As said on the CDC’s web site, colleges’ vaccination necessities are decided by state and native legal guidelines.
Particular person states may roll out vaccination mandates for these working within the health care subject.
State of juvenile COVID vaccinations
As of Feb. 15, slightly below 17% of youngsters 5 years previous and youthful have obtained their full sequence of vaccines, together with the booster, per the CDC web site.
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Amongst children 12 years previous or youthful, 18.2% are absolutely vaccinated and boosted.
That share rises to 19.3% for youths 18 years previous or youthful.
