Parents, watch out. Children and toddlers can still get COVID-19. Cases have been increasing among children, indicated by recent data from the American Academy of Pediatrics. This may be partly because no COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for people under age 12.
One in four new COVID cases is being diagnosed in children. More than a quarter-million cases were reported last week, the highest on record. The former head of the FDA laying out his “best-case scenario” on when vaccines will be available for children.
As of now, several COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One of these vaccines is authorized for people age12 and over, with authorization for younger children likely in the months ahead.
Johns Hopkins Medicine views all authorized COVID-19 vaccines as highly effective at preventing serious disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Vaccines are still awaiting approval to be administered to young kids.
According to the John Hopkins School of Medicine, fever and cough are still common COVID-19 symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more likely to be seen in adults. Children can have pneumonia, with or without obvious symptoms. They can also experience sore throat, excessive fatigue, or diarrhea.
However, serious illness in children with COVID-19 is possible, and parents should stay alert if their child is diagnosed with, or shows signs of, the disease.
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In New York City, there’s no vaccine mandate for students yet despite students going back to school. The city says the school district is stocked with personal protective equipment supplies to make sure everyone’s protected. There will also be bi-weekly COVID testing in every school.
Hopkins Medicine also encourages families to practice these precautions:
- Cough and sneeze with care.
- Keep hands off faces.
- Keep things clean.
- Address anxiety and stress.
Keep yourselves and keep your children safe!
