Read on Twitter
The approval of the Pfizer #covid19 vaccine for age 12-15 is not unexpected - but it is nonetheless momentous, both for our kids, and for our communities.
A thread.
https://twitter.com/US_FDA/status/1391864766407356420
A thread.
https://twitter.com/US_FDA/status/1391864766407356420
1) Over the last week alone, the U.S. has seen a 13% decrease in #COVID19 cases and an 8% decrease in hospitalizations.
And hey! the 10 states with the highest vaccination rates were responsible for 50% of the drop in case rates. https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-vs-infections-in-one-chart-11620293401
And hey! the 10 states with the highest vaccination rates were responsible for 50% of the drop in case rates. https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-vs-infections-in-one-chart-11620293401
It is true that kids and young adults are much less likely to die than older adults.
But: the drop in death rates among younger ages (unvaccinated) has been SLOWER than the drop in death rate among older adults (who are, largely, vaccinated).
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#demographicsovertime
But: the drop in death rates among younger ages (unvaccinated) has been SLOWER than the drop in death rate among older adults (who are, largely, vaccinated).
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#demographicsovertime
Specifically:
at peak, prior to vaccines, people age 85+ had a death rate of approx 69/100,000; as of 4/24 it was 1.5/100,000 -> thanks to vaccines!!
vs age 14-17, at peak was 0.04/100,000 - now down to 0.02/100,000 -> virtually no change, bc only 16+ has had any vaccines
at peak, prior to vaccines, people age 85+ had a death rate of approx 69/100,000; as of 4/24 it was 1.5/100,000 -> thanks to vaccines!!vs age 14-17, at peak was 0.04/100,000 - now down to 0.02/100,000 -> virtually no change, bc only 16+ has had any vaccines
**PS: the drop in death rate for older age groups (who are mostly vaccinated) is MUCH GREATER than the drop from prior peaks.
2) Moreover: death is not the only reason to get vaccinated.
Vaccines are also good for kids because it protects them from:
- #longcovid
- MIS-C
- needing masks
- infection & transmitting the virus to others, period! https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/05/03/993141036/children-now-account-for-22-of-new-u-s-covid-cases-why-is-that
Vaccines are also good for kids because it protects them from:
- #longcovid
- MIS-C
- needing masks
- infection & transmitting the virus to others, period! https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/05/03/993141036/children-now-account-for-22-of-new-u-s-covid-cases-why-is-that
3) Studies from other countries suggest that the vaccines work, not just to protect the person who gets the vaccine from infection / death / side-effects, but also the people around them (by stopping transmission of the virus). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00947-8/fulltext
(remember, although these vaccines are marvelous, there are some people they DON'T work as well for. By vaccinating kids, we also protect the vulnerable in our society.)
4) Here's another big, exciting thing about kids getting the vaccines: The mRNA vaccines ALSO protect against variants (including B117 - which is dominant in the US right now).
And, of course, vaccinations protect all of us against NEW variants emerging. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2104974
And, of course, vaccinations protect all of us against NEW variants emerging. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2104974
5) But are they safe?
** Study after study shows that the safety for these mRNA vaccines is tremendously good. And allergy rates are tremendously low.
Including - thanks to the @US_FDA data - in 12-15 year olds. THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE.
** Study after study shows that the safety for these mRNA vaccines is tremendously good. And allergy rates are tremendously low.
Including - thanks to the @US_FDA data - in 12-15 year olds. THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE.
6) But!!!! Is it fair to vaccinate kids in the US when most of the world does not yet have vaccines?
If it were an either/or choice - then no, it would not be fair. But - IMO - it is more nuanced. We can BOTH vaccinate here at home AND support production/distribution abroad.
If it were an either/or choice - then no, it would not be fair. But - IMO - it is more nuanced. We can BOTH vaccinate here at home AND support production/distribution abroad.
7) Finally, at the end of the day, I would argue, as a parent, that any preventable death or illness in kids is bad.
And kids have lost enough this year.
The vaccines are a way out.
And kids have lost enough this year.
The vaccines are a way out.
TL/DR?Getting our kids vaccinated to protect them from the #COVID19 virus is an effective, easy, safe thing to do.
And will allow them to **safely** be maskless at school, at play, and at sports again.
