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06
February
2023
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ABC News: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for kids, according to new data

Children's Mercy vaccine clinic

By Jennifer Miao

Two doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine among school-aged children safely and effectively reduces COVID-19 infection risk as well as associated risks for developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome and COVID-19 related hospitalizations, new data suggests.

This study adds evidence to existing studies and "supports the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5-11 years," authors Dr. Jun Yasuhara of the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Dr. Toshiki Kuno of the Division of Cardiology at Montefiore Medical Center told ABC News.

Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center analyzed rates of COVID-19 infection, symptom severity and vaccine side effects among 10,935,541 vaccinated children aged 5 to 11 years compared to 2,635,251 unvaccinated children.

They found vaccinated children had lower rates of infection and less severe symptoms if they did end up infected. Severe reactions to the shot were rare and any local injection irritation went away after several days. The low rates of severe side effects should be reassuring for parents and guardians worried about adverse events following vaccination, according to the study's authors.

There are many reasons why parents are reluctant to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Dr. Angela Myers of the Infectious Diseases Division Director at Children’s Mercy Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri.

That includes a misconception that the vaccine is not effective because it doesn’t block all infections, Myers said. "Instead [it] protects against severe infection, hospitalization and death," she said.

Myers said parents should talk to their child’s pediatrician if they have questions about the vaccine.

 

Read the full article via ABC News

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