St. Joseph Hospital Pediatric Hospitalist, Sharon Vuppula, MD Answers Your Top 8 Questions About Kids and COVID
October 28, 2021
Does my vaccinated child need to wear a mask and why?
Currently the recommendation is for all children, ages two year and above to wear a mask while in an indoor public setting, where there is a substantial or moderate level of community transmission, regardless of vaccination status. Recent data shows that even vaccinated individuals can transmit the delta variants to others. This has led to this recommendation.
Does wearing masking effect my child learning and speech development?
Currently there is no study that suggests that wearing a mask will affect a child’s learning or speech development. Currently the eminent priority of protecting our children against COVID-19 as they go back to school is important. The importance of parents spending time communicating with their children at home, mask-less, becomes increasingly important given the fact that many of our children will be attending daycares and preschools with masked teachers and students.
What the mental health impacts of the pandemic on my child and what can I do to help my child?
Recent studies from the CDC have showed that since the start of the pandemic, emergency room visits from suicide attempts has increased when compared to previous years. In addition, there are several surveys which show increased anxiety and depression in both parents and children since the start of this pandemic. Parents and teachers need to have a heightened awareness and vigilant surveillance of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children.
Should I be concerned about the side effect of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination?
A very small percentage of adolescent males developed myocarditis within weeks of receiving the second dose of the Comirnaty (Pfizer-Bio-N Tech) vaccine. Most of these children recover with minimal medical intervention and with no long term sequala. The FDA continues to monitor for this and any other potential side effects of the vaccine. Given the fact that myocarditis is a very rare side effect, the vaccine continues to be recommended. Additionally, COVID-19 infection can cause cardiac abnormalities, especially in children who develop MIS-C( Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children)
What can I do to protect my vaccine eligible children from getting COVID-19?
The first step in providing protection for children who are not eligible to get the vaccine, is to get all members of the family who are eligible vaccinated. to In addition to that, if your child is over two years of age, he/she can wear a mask which protects them from contracting COVID-19. Continuing all the practices we learned earlier on in the pandemic such as hand hygiene, staying home from school when sick, avoiding large crowds, as well as improved ventilation will all protect your child who is not able to get a COVID-19 vaccine
What does the full FDA approval of the Pfizer-Bio-N Tech vaccine mean for vaccine mandates?
Vaccine mandates during a pandemic is largely unchartered territory. The education system as well as the legal system is navigating this issue. There are several government and private entities that have already begun to mandate vaccines. However, depending on the state you live in there may be a medical or religious exemptions.
Are there any long-term side effects to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccines, when they do cause side effects, typically occur no further out than three months. Historically, there has not been a vaccine which causes side effects months to years out from vaccine administration. The FDA monitors any side effects, both short and long-term through the vaccine adverse events reporting system.<
Are there any long-term side effects to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccines, when they do cause side effects, typically occur no further out than three months. Historically, there has not been a vaccine which causes side effects months to years out from vaccine administration. The FDA monitors any side effects, both short and long-term through the vaccine adverse events reporting system.
My child has had a natural infection of COVID infection. Do they still need to get vaccinated?
After natural infection, it is thought that your child is protected from reinfection for about three months. After three months there’s a potential that the immunity your child developed after a natural infection can decrease over time. Vaccinating your child even after a natural infection is essential to prolonging immunity (protection) from COVID-19.
At St. Joseph Hospital our experienced physicians and caring staff look forward to partnering with you for all your healthcare needs.
