Health
CDC adds COVID-19 vaccines to official immunization schedule for kids as young as 6 months
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention launched just a few updates final week to its little one 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 least eight weeks later.
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Youngsters who’re “reasonably or severely immunocompromised” ought to embody a 3rd dose within the main 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 little one and adolescent immunization schedule. (AP Picture/Matt Rourke, File)
Nevertheless, 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 Heart in New York Metropolis and a Fox Information medical contributor, is just not in opposition to the vaccine being added to the schedule for teenagers 5 years and older, as a result of it should assist with insurance coverage protection and also will improve availability for larger threat youngsters, comparable to these with weight problems or those that have diabetes.
“I’d not add six months to 5 years to the beneficial record but — however I’d make it obtainable, particularly for larger threat youngsters,” he instructed Fox Information Digital in an e-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 private alternative.
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“I really feel strongly that the vaccine shouldn’t be mandated,” Dr. Siegel stated.
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 Pictures)
The physician identified that whereas COVID signs are typically delicate in youngsters, repeated an infection can result in the next probability of mind fog, “lengthy COVID” and different problems.
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“The choice of whether or not to get the vaccine must be between the kid, mother or father and pediatrician,” he stated.
CDC can suggest pictures 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 at school.
“The choice of whether or not to get the vaccine must be between the kid, mother or father and pediatrician.”
Nevertheless, colleges do search steering from the CDC when making choices about immunization necessities.
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As acknowledged on the CDC’s web site, colleges’ vaccination necessities are decided by state and native legal guidelines.
Particular person states also can roll out vaccination mandates for these working within the well being care discipline.
State of juvenile COVID vaccinations
As of Feb. 15, slightly below 17% of kids 5 years previous and youthful have obtained their full sequence of vaccines, together with the booster, per the CDC web site.
Amongst youngsters 12 years previous or youthful, 18.2% are absolutely vaccinated and boosted.
That share rises to 19.3% for teenagers 18 years previous or youthful.