COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 available on Cape Cod

Parents of infants and preschoolers at Seaside Pediatrics in West Yarmouth are taking a cautious approach to vaccinating their children against COVID-19, now that the federal government has approved the shots for kids age 6 months to 5 years.

“I think people will eventually come around,” said Pediatrician Dawnnica K. Eastman, MD.

On June 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration okayed use of vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech for children as young as 6 months. Prior to that date, Moderna’s vaccine could only be used in people 18 or older and Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine was approved for people 5 years and older.

One month earlier, on May 17, the FDA approved use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine for children age 5-11 years old. Before that, the FDA authorized use of the same vaccine for people 16 and older on Dec. 11, 2020, and added ages 12-15 on May 10, 2021.

“Twelve and up definitely had a lot more takers,” Dr. Eastman said. “Six months to four years, parents are a little more hesitant. Most parents said they’re planning on it, but want to wait.”

Among her patients at Seaside Pediatrics, Dr. Eastman estimated that about 50 percent in the 5-12 range were vaccinated against the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Nationwide, COVID-19 vaccination rates drop with decreasing age. On July 13, 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics, using data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported:

• For ages 12-17, 69 percent had their first dose and 59 percent had their second dose.
• For ages 5-11, 36 percent had their first dose and 30 percent had their second dose.
• For ages 6 months to 4 years, three percent had their first dose. This was about four weeks after the shots became available.

The academy, which backs vaccination of children and teens against COVID-19 as safe and effective, noted vaccination rates differ widely by state.

Compare those figures to the rates for Americans 18 and older. According to the CDC, as of July 13, 89.8 percent have received at least one dose and 77 percent are fully vaccinated.

Immunization Works

Immunization is the best way to protect children, their families and the public against COVID-19, Dr. Eastman said. She practices what she preaches.

“All the staff here has vaccinated their kids against it,” she said. “We’re doing it for our children, too.”
While some parents may be reluctant, at least at first, “almost all (other) childhood vaccinations are given before age 2,” Dr. Eastman said.

It’s vital to vaccinate children at higher risk, such as those with genetic disorders, asthma, obesity, immune deficiencies and heart problems, she said.

She blamed the large amount of misinformation on the internet and other media for making people leery of vaccines. She mentions the availability of shots at each child’s visit and tries to answer parental concerns.

One worry is COVID vaccination might cause inflammation of the heart or its outer covering (myocarditis and pericarditis). A few cases have been reported in teens and young men, usually within a week after a second dose, and most have quickly gotten better after medical treatment, according to the CDC.

“It’s very uncommon for the younger child,” Dr. Eastman said.

A Jan. 25 paper in JAMA Network said while Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines raised the risk of myocarditis, the number of reported cases between December 2020 and August 2021 was 1,626 out of 192,405,448 vaccinated people, or 8.5 cases per million.

Dr. Eastman said her office saw a lot of COVID-19 infections earlier this year in children 5-12, and most cases were mild. However, they did see a case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome. This rare and serious condition occurs when COVID-19 causes inflammation of organs, which can include the brain, heart, skin, eyes, kidneys and digestive system, according to the CDC.

“You never know if you’re going to be the one,” Dr. Eastman said.

Although children tend to have milder COVID symptoms than adults, she said it’s important to immunize them not only to protect them, but to reduce spread of the virus.

“Just like any other respiratory illness going around, the little kids are the carriers,” she said. “They bring it home to the parents and grandparents.”

COVID-19 vaccines can help keep daycare centers and schools open, so that parents can go to work, she said.

“All these things are important from a public health perspective.”

Contact your child's pediatrician with any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or to inquire about vaccination appointments.