Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, a chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, encourages parents to have their babies vaccinated.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now available and recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for children ages 5-11 years old.
The dose is child-sized at one-third the size of the adult vaccine and is shown to be nearly 91% effective during clinical trials, according to officials.
Last month in June, the FDA authorized the emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include use in children from 6 months of age and older.
- For the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) to include the use of the vaccine in individuals 6 months through 17 years of age. The vaccine had been previously been authorized for use in adults 18 years of age and older.
- For the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA amended the EUA to include the use of the vaccine in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age. The vaccine had been authorized for use in individuals 5 years of age and older.
- Before deciding to authorize these vaccines for the respective pediatric populations, the FDA’s independent Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee was consulted and voted in support of the authorizations.
“Many parents, caregivers and clinicians have been waiting for a vaccine for younger children and this action will help protect those down to 6 months of age. As we have seen with older age groups, we expect that the vaccines for younger children will provide protection from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “Those trusted with the care of children can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of these COVID-19 vaccines and can be assured that the agency was thorough in its evaluation of the data.”
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a primary series of two doses, one month apart, to individuals 6 months through 17 years of age. The vaccine is also authorized to provide a third primary series dose at least one month following the second dose for individuals in this age group who have been determined to have certain immunocompromised conditions.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a primary series of three doses in which the initial two doses are administered three weeks apart followed by a third dose administered at least eight weeks after the second dose in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age.
Information about each vaccine is available in the fact sheets for healthcare providers administering vaccines and the fact sheets for recipients and caregivers.
Between an expected fall uptick in COVID cases to a new sub-variant BA.5, people here in Detroit, around the state and across the nation are bracing themselves as the country continues battling the virus while facing over 1 million total COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic started two years ago.
The City of Detroit recently began providing both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for children ages 6 months up to five years of age, following emergency use authorization from the federal Food & Drug Administration and approval by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
“This is welcome news for our youngest Detroiters. The data proves the vaccines are safe and effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 and all variants. We know that young children and even babies can contract COVID-19, and vaccines reduce the severity of illness which keeps everyone safer,” said Denise Fair Razo, chief public health officer. “I encourage parents to talk to their pediatrician or our clinicians if they have any questions. Please get vaccinated, get your booster and get tested if you have any symptoms. They are the best way to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.”
Pediatric vaccinations (and booster doses for children ages 5-11 who are eligible five months after completing their initial series) are available by appointment only at both pediatric vaccination locations operated by the Detroit Health Department:
- Detroit Health Department – 100 Mack Avenue
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Northwest Activities Center – 18100 Meyers
Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“As with all vaccines for any population, when authorizing COVID-19 vaccines intended for pediatric age groups, the FDA ensures that our evaluation and analysis of the data is rigorous and thorough,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “In addition to making certain the data for these vaccines met FDA’s rigorous standards, the agency’s convening of an advisory committee was part of a transparent process to help the public have a clear understanding of the safety and effectiveness data supporting the authorization of these two vaccines for pediatric populations.”
Romulus resident Ashley Williams, a mother of three, told the Michigan Chronicle that her 14- and 10-year-old children are fully vaccinated against COVID and she and her husband plan to vaccinate their three-year-old against it.
The family, who caught COVID last year (except for their youngest), initially was hesitant about the vaccines.
“I was very hesitant,” Williams said adding that she works for a non-profit-turned call center that handles COVID-related questions, and she talked to many people infected.
As a Black woman, Williams said that she knows that medical discrimination still exists, which she handles by doing what will benefit her family in the long run.
“Always talk with your physician and make that decision together,” she said. “Really, at the end of the day do what is best for [your] family and protect each other.”
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, said that the medical field is educating parents on vaccinating against COVID because she said that one of the most vulnerable populations are exhibiting alarming symptoms.
“While a majority of children don’t have severe outcomes, COVID can still cause significant outcomes for children,” Bagdasarian said. “It can cause hospitalizations, ICU [visits] — even pediatric deaths in our state and country. … One of the things we do is we want to have the absolute best health and safety for our kids.”
Bagdasarian added that working with parents, addressing vaccine hesitancy and more is also important.
“We’re trying to work with all those folks across the board and meet people where they are and address questions with vaccines and some specific points we’ve heard when talking about vaccinating children,” she said, adding that while myocarditis has cropped up in youth being vaccinated, risks are plausible. “The risk [of getting myocarditis] is greater from COVID-19 than the vaccine. … We are doing whatever we can to address some of the questions that families and parents have.”
Older children ages 12 and up can obtain vaccinations and boosters on a walk-in basis at all Health Department vaccination sites, including Saturday Pediatric Pop-Up Health clinics scheduled in neighborhoods across the City during July and August. Free lead screenings are also available. A full list of vaccination sites can be found on the Health Department’s website or call 313-230-0505. Bring a vaccination card to the appointment.
Free COVID-19 tests and Test to Treat medication are available to everyone who lives or works in Detroit at the Joseph Walker Williams Community Center (8431 Rosa Parks Blvd.). Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. By appointment only: 313-230-0505.
For more information visit https://www.michigan.gov/kidsCOVIDvaccine.
Find a vaccine provider at vaccines.gov or call 2-1-1 for more information.
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