FDA Authorizes Covid-19 Vaccines for Younger Children

COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Under 5: What You Should Know

When it comes to fighting COVID-19, we know there are many sources of information. We are grateful you trust Anderson Hills Pediatrics to give you the answers you need and the care your family deserves.

You can find the latest information about a vaccine for children under five here.

Our Approach to COVID-19 Vaccine

When you come to Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we want you to feel comfortable throughout the vaccine process. Here are a few things to get you started:

• Schedule through our Patient Portal or call our office at (513) 232-8100 for your child’s COVID-19 Vaccine. We currently provide the COVID-19 for patients 6 months of age and older at both our Anderson Township and Amelia locations.
• Prior to your appointment, you will check in on Phreesia as you do for a normal appointment. This is important to ensure we have all of the necessary paperwork completed and that vaccination is appropriate for your child.
• We may ask for your ID or health insurance card, although there are no out-of-pocket charges for the COVID-19 vaccine.
• We may ask you to review the CDC’s fact sheet and to sign a waiver or consent form.
• Vaccinations may be completed from the comfort of your vehicle or within our facilities depending upon weather conditions.

COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Under 5 

Young people are vulnerable to the virus, just like everyone else. Getting them vaccinated is the best way to protect them, prevent the spread of COVID-19, and protect others.

On June 18, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and means that all Americans ages 6 months and older are now eligible for vaccination.

The COVID-19 vaccine for babies and children is not the same as those administered to older teenagers and adults. They are sent to us, specifically marked and indicated for children. Children are not just little adults. Special concern has been taken for their approved vaccines.

What to Expect

Before your appointment, please give us a call if you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 5. We can help inform you of the risks and the benefits of vaccination.

Before your child gets the COVID-19 vaccine, you will fill out the CDC’s pre-vaccination screening form for your child. This is to make sure they are a good candidate for the vaccine.

If you answer yes to any question, you may need to talk to your child’s provider to determine if timing is right for your child to receive the vaccine.  For example, if your child is feeling moderately sick or severely ill, it is recommended to wait until they feel better before they receive the vaccine.

The questionnaire will help us determine if there is any reason your child should not get the COVID-19 vaccine today. If you answer “yes” to any question, it does not necessarily mean your child should not be vaccinated. It just means additional questions may be asked. If a question is not clear, please ask your healthcare provider to explain it.

It does not take long to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The process is like many of the regular immunizations and vaccines common for children. The vaccine can also be given at a well-visit or other routine check-up.

After the vaccine, you will likely schedule another appointment for the next doses, if appropriate. Your child should be able to return to normal activities immediately after leaving the office.

Types of Covid-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for different age groups and are given in the arm as a two-dose or three-dose series. At Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we are offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

Patients 6 months of age through 4 years: Two doses, 21 days apart; Third dose 8 weeks after the second dose

Patients 5 years of age and older:  Two doses, 21 days apart

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
The COVID-19 vaccine works similarly to other vaccines. Germs such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, invade and multiply inside the body. The vaccine helps stop this by teaching the immune system to recognize and make antibodies that fight the virus.

Is the vaccine safe for children?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children who are 6 months of age and older get vaccinated to help protect against COVID-19. According to the CDC, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. Before recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children, scientists conducted clinical trials. The FDA gave the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine emergency authorization to use in children ages 6 months-15 years old and full approval to use in people ages 16 years and older.

Who recommends the vaccine for children?
On June 18, 2022 CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and means that all Americans ages 6 months and older are now eligible for vaccination.

The CDC expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.

Will my child still get COVID-19 if he or she is fully vaccinated?
After your child is fully vaccinated, there is less of a chance he/she will get COVID-19. If your child does get infected with the virus, the child likely will not be as sick. Your child is also much less likely to be hospitalized if you get the virus.

The vaccine is approved for emergencies. What is Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)?
The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority allows the FDA to help strengthen the nation’s public health protections when there is a public health crisis. The FDA requires you to have special information so you can make an informed decision about vaccination.

For more information about EUA, please visit the FDA website.

My child has been allergic to a vaccine in the past. Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for my child?
According to the CDC, if your child has a history of allergy in past vaccines, you should talk to your provider to see if your child should move forward with the COVID-19 vaccine. In the screening form from the CDC on page four, there are ingredients listed and special considerations if your child might be at risk.

How does an mRNA vaccine help children?
The vaccine currently approved for those under 18 is considered an mRNA vaccine. According to healthychildren.org, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines contain messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA is made up of nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of all our cells. The mRNA carries instructions inside a lipid (fat) coating that tells cells to produce harmless pieces of “spike” protein. These look like spikes on the actual COVID virus.

When the cells make these pieces of spike protein, the immune system recognizes that they should not be there. Your child’s body then makes antibodies that get rid of the spike pieces. These antibodies remember how to protect your child from the virus in the future. A second dose three weeks after the first dose provides the instructions again, so the immune system can remember and practice how to get rid of the spike pieces.

Do mRNA vaccines change your child’s DNA?
No, the COVID-19 vaccines made with messenger RNA do not interact with your child’s DNA at all. DNA is your genetic material and it is stored in the nucleus of a cell. The mRNA in the vaccines never gets into the nucleus. And once your immune cells have used the instructions, they break down the mRNA and it exits the body.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain live parts of the Virus?
No, mRNA vaccines do not contain any live or dead parts of the virus.

How were the vaccines developed? Were they rushed?
Vaccines were first tested in cells to determine if they are safe for people. The research is shared with the FDA, and then if approved, the researchers start clinical trials. There are several stages of clinical trials, building from hundreds to thousands of people. They undergo rigorous testing processes and close communication with participants throughout clinical trials. There are specific clinical trials for children underway.

More information about research protocols can be found on the CDC website.

Schedule Your Vaccine Appointment
We thank you for trusting us to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to your child. We know you have many options, and we are grateful you trust us with your child’s healthcare.