 | By Daphne Lee, News Editor | | If you're a parent, sending your kids back to school this fall might have brought mixed feelings of relief, joy, and worry. You can finally breathe a little during the weekdays. Yet, while the kids can see their friends and teachers in-person again, those under 12 have been attending classes without vaccine protection. And pediatric COVID-19 cases have shot up since the end of August.
This week, an FDA advisory panel finally voted to recommend the Pfizer vaccine for kids between 5-11 years old. What can you expect next? | | | Today's Top Story | | What Did FDA Experts Say About Pfizer's Vaccine for Kids? |  | The Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 is nearly 91% effective at preventing severe disease and death from COVID-19. The dosage for this age group is one-third of what's given to adults and teenagers. After a rigorous review of the company's trial data, an FDA advisory panel decided that the vaccine is safe and the side effects are similar to those experienced by adolescents.
Some panelists were concerned about the risk of myocarditis, a rare inflammatory heart disease that has been linked to both COVID-19 and the vaccines, particularly among younger men. But a study estimated that the incidence of myocarditis from the vaccine is only about 3 cases out of 100,000 people, compared to 11 cases per 100,000 from the COVID-19 virus itself.
Among teenagers, cases of vaccine-related myocarditis were typically resolved after a few days. And Pfizer's clinical trials for young children recorded zero cases of myocarditis.
Ultimately, FDA panelists said that the vaccines should be made available for children who need them.
"I certainly believe that in hindsight, when we look back on this decision, giving parents the option to make that decision for themselves will be omething that in history, we will be glad that we were able to do," said Oveta Fuller, PhD, a panelist and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan. | | Know More | | Although the FDA panel voted 17-0 (with one abstention) in favor of the Pfizer vaccine, some advisers worried that states may mandate the vaccine for school-aged children before more safety data is available. Panelist Steven Pergam, MD, MP, MPH said that while high-risk individuals should get vaccinated, others could just have the option to get one dose or nothing. | | Feel Better | | Now that the FDA panel has voted in favor of the Pfizer vaccine, we have to wait for the agency to issue an emergency use authorization. Next week, the CDC advisory panel will also decide whether to recommend the vaccine for children or not. After the CDC's official recommendation, you can seek out a vaccine appointment for your kids who are between 5-11 years old. | | |  | | More parents have become vaccine hesitant for their young children, according to Kaiser Family Foundation's COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor. Over 70% of them cited concerns about not having enough data about the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children or that they might experience severe side effects. |  |  | | Your Vintage Ceramic Dishware May Contain Lead | | Those colorful, glazed ceramic ware you bought from a trip overseas may not be safe for cooking or serving food. Heat and acidity can allow lead to seep through cracks of the ceramic. The NYC health department recently found 15 cases of lead poisoning from vintage pottery imported from other countries. Experts warn that you should be cautious even if it's a family heirloom set made before 1971, when the FDA set regulations for lead levels in ceramics. | | | | U.S. Is Lifting Travel Ban Soon | | After 20 months of travel restrictions that banned most international visitors from entering the U.S., the borders are finally re-opening on November 8. Travelers will be permitted to enter the country as long as they have received two doses of any vaccines recognized by the WHO. Along with vaccination, travelers will also need to provide a negative COVID test within three days before their travel. The same will apply to traveling American citizens and permanent residents, but those who are unvaccinated will need to provide a test within one day of departure or arrival. | | | | | |  | | Lyndsey Garbi, MD, a medical advisory board member at Verywell, says we should enjoy our Halloween treats and share the rest with others. |  | | Moderation is key. Halloween is a special holiday—let the kids indulge a bit, but there should be limits. You can have your kids choose their favorite options and donate the rest to military, veterans, and first responders. Win, win all around. | |  |  | Lyndsey Garbi, MD
Chief of Pediatrics at Blueberry Pediatrics
| | | Keep Reading | | | ■ | How Home Cooks Work Smarter, Not Harder. The Atlantic | | | | | ■ | The 37-Year-Olds Are Afraid of the 23-Year-Olds Who Work for Them. The New York Times | | | | | ■ | Rare 'Penis Plant' Blooms for the First Time in 25 Years. VICE | | | | | | | |  |     | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
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