Recently, my partner received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and I felt a pang of vaccine envy. She qualified due to her role at an elementary school and her past health struggles, which heightened her risk for COVID complications. Securing her vaccination appointment was a huge relief for our family. Naturally, I began to wonder when I would get vaccinated myself. As a 38-year-old man without any underlying health conditions and a job that allows me to work from home, it seems like I might be waiting for a while. But beyond my own situation, I can’t help but think about my children—ages 6, 11, and 13. I know many parents feel the same way.
For clarity amid the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we often look to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s leading epidemiologist. In a late February interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, he shared a tentative timeline. “If you project realistically, when we will be able to get enough data to be able to say that elementary school children will be able to be vaccinated, I would think that would be, at the earliest, the end of the year, and very likely the first quarter of 2022.”
Currently, the FDA has granted emergency use authorization to three COVID-19 vaccines. As reported by CNBC, the newly authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine, along with Moderna, is approved for adults aged 18 and older. However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the one my partner received, is currently approved for individuals 16 and older.
It’s crucial that we prioritize vaccinating as many adults as possible. According to CDC data, children typically do not experience severe illness from COVID-19 like adults do. Nevertheless, children can still contract and spread the virus, with some developing serious symptoms, requiring ICU care, or even facing life-threatening complications. To return our kids to school and restore some semblance of normalcy, an approved vaccine for children is essential. Vaccinating kids contributes to our broader goal of achieving herd immunity. Until that goal is met, we will continue to navigate social distancing, mask mandates, and school closures.
I fully support the COVID-19 precautions since we have seen enough suffering caused by this virus. However, I also find myself weary of this lifestyle. I miss social interactions, dropping my kids off at school, and going into the office. Many of you likely share these feelings. Until both adults and children can be vaccinated, it seems we will have to persist in this challenging situation.
As for the progress on a vaccine for children, Pfizer and Moderna began recruiting participants for their clinical trials late last year. Oxford University, which collaborated with AstraZeneca on a vaccine, was set to test on 12-to-18-year-olds this month. Now that Johnson & Johnson has received approval for adult use in the U.S., they are preparing to start trials on children—including infants. The current strategy focuses on vaccinating teenagers first and then working down to younger age groups.
Returning to Dr. Fauci’s interview, he expressed optimism that teenagers could begin receiving the vaccine by the start of the upcoming school year. “I’m not sure it’s exactly on the first day school opens, but pretty close to that,” he noted.
In summary, there is progress and hope on the horizon. You may already know someone who has been vaccinated, which is promising. If you’re fortunate like my amazing partner, you too might have already received your vaccine. Unfortunately, it will still take some time before our children can get their shots, prolonging the distance from normalcy regarding in-person schooling and social interactions. Nevertheless, we have endured this long, and we can finally see a flicker of light at the end of this extended tunnel.
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Summary:
As we look forward to the possibility of COVID-19 vaccinations for children, experts like Dr. Fauci provide a timeline suggesting that vaccines may be available for kids by early 2022. While adults are prioritized for vaccinations, the importance of protecting children remains significant for returning to normal life.
Keyphrase: COVID vaccine for children
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