A “Turning point” For The American President

The vaccination “will allow parents to put an end to months of worry for their children,” said US President Joe Biden immediately after the announcement, hailing an “important step forward” and a “turning point” in the fight against the pandemic.

The government had largely anticipated the decision of the health authorities by procuring enough doses for this age group, and by starting to send millions of them to the four corners of the country. Since the clearance from the FDA, “there hasn’t been a time when the teams haven’t collected, packaged, and sent vaccines,” Jeff Zients, the pandemic coordinator, assured Monday. the White House. “They have been working around the clock and will continue to do so.”The vaccination campaign for young children “will reach its full capacity the week of November 8,” he said.

 

Pfizer 90.7% Effective

More than 1.9 million cases of Covid-19 have been recorded among 5 to 11-year-olds in the United States. More than 8,300 children have been hospitalized and more than 2,300 cases of MIS-C (pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome) were identified. About a hundred deaths have been counted.

According to clinical trials conducted by Pfizer on thousands of children, the vaccine has demonstrated an effectiveness of 90.7% against symptomatic forms of the disease, recalls AFP. In addition to preventing them from falling ill, the expected benefits also include a decrease in the number of class closures and a possible reduction in the transmission of the epidemic to the general population.

The doses will be available in pharmacies, pediatric hospitals, but also in offices of pediatricians, family physicians, and some schools. The caps on vials intended for children are orange, making them easily recognizable compared to the purple caps on vials for older age groups.

57% Of Parents Ready To Have Their Child Vaccinated

According to a survey presented by the CDC on Tuesday and conducted in September of 1,000 parents, 57% said they would “definitely” or ” probably” vaccinate their child. Among those who are hesitant, the concerns above all relate to short or long-term side effects.

Earlier today, an expert committee convened by the CDC had unanimously recommended Pfizer’s vaccine for ages 5 to 11. These independent scientists reviewed, during a day of discussions broadcast live, the available data on the impact of the epidemic in children, the effectiveness of Pfizer’s vaccine, and its possible side effects.

A Few Hundred Cases Of Myocarditis

The main concern was the risk of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, detected in adolescents and young adults (especially males) after vaccination with Pfizer or Moderna. Health authorities have confirmed nearly 880 cases in those under 30 (more than 600 remain to be assessed), of which around 830 required hospitalization. Most cases resolve within a few days.

Nine deaths were suspected to be related to myocarditis after the vaccine. But out of six cases so far reviewed, vaccine-related myocarditis has ultimately been ruled out “as the cause of death,” pediatric cardiologist Dr. Matthew Oster said in a presentation. “The risk of having a heart problem is much higher if you catch the Covid than if you take this vaccine,” he added.

Experts further believe that the risk of myocarditis should be rarer in young children, thanks to the reduced dosage, and because this risk may be related to testosterone levels. ” If I had a grandson I would definitely get him vaccinated, ” said Beth Bell, infectious disease specialist, and committee member. ” We have excellent evidence of efficacy and safety. We have a favorable benefit-risk analysis,” she insisted.