Podcast Summary
Parents seek clarity on COVID safety for kids as schools reopen: Parents with unvaccinated children are anxious about delayed vaccine approval and want clear guidance from Pfizer and Moderna on kid's protection
Parents are expressing deep concern about the safety of children as schools reopen amidst a surge in COVID-19 infections. Emily Anthus, a science journalist at The New York Times, was identified as the best person to answer questions from parents about COVID and kids due to her extensive coverage of the pandemic. Parents, particularly those with unvaccinated young children, are anxious about the delayed approval of vaccines for children under 12 and want clear guidance from Moderna and Pfizer on when protection will be available for their little ones. Emily has been covering the research on COVID and kids extensively and will do her best to answer some of the most common questions from listeners. The team at The Daily received over 600 questions on this topic.
FDA Asks Pfizer and Moderna to Expand Clinical Trials for Children's COVID-19 Vaccines: The FDA is requesting more data from Pfizer and Moderna on their COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11 due to concerns about potential side effects. Authorization for these vaccines for younger children is not yet granted, and answers are expected in the coming months.
The clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines for children between 5 and 11 years old are still ongoing, and authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet been granted due to the ongoing trials and the need for more data to ensure the safety of the vaccines for this age group. The FDA has asked Pfizer and Moderna to expand their clinical trials due to concerns about potential rare side effects, particularly myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle. These trials are being conducted in a step-down fashion, with data and authorization currently available for children 12 and older. It is likely that answers about the vaccine for children between 5 and 11 will come in the next few months, but parents may need to wait longer for peace of mind about vaccinations for younger children. Once the data is released, the FDA will need to review it before authorization can be granted.
COVID-19 Can Be Severe in Some Children: Though most children experience mild or no symptoms, COVID-19 can still cause serious illness and even death in a small percentage, particularly those who are unvaccinated. The Delta variant poses a greater risk, but more data is needed to confirm if it causes more severe disease.
While COVID-19 is largely mild or even asymptomatic in most children, it can still cause serious and severe disease in a small percentage. About 1% of infected children end up in the hospital, and 0.1% die. The Delta variant, which is more contagious than the original virus, is primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals, including children. While it's possible that Delta causes more severe disease, there isn't enough data to confirm that yet. Children are still at risk, especially those who are unvaccinated, and parents should continue to take precautions to protect their children from the virus. It's important to note that the situation is constantly evolving, and new data may change our understanding of the virus's impact on children. Stay informed and stay safe.
Children less likely to develop long-term COVID effects compared to adults: Children may face mild to severe long-term COVID symptoms, but schools can implement safety measures to create a safer learning environment.
While estimates vary, children seem less likely to develop long-term effects of COVID-19, known as long COVID, compared to adults. However, what constitutes long COVID can range from mild to severe symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating. Schools can implement several safety measures, such as masking, symptom screening, testing programs, physical distancing, and upgraded ventilation, to create a safer learning environment than the surrounding community. However, the risk of in-school transmission with the highly contagious Delta variant is still uncertain.
Parents' Tough Decisions on School Safety Amid COVID-19: Parents weigh community transmission, vaccination coverage, and family health when deciding if to send children to potentially unsafe schools. Pregnant and lactating women are now recommended to get vaccinated for their protection and their babies' potential protection.
Parents face tough decisions when it comes to sending their children to schools that may not prioritize COVID-19 precautions. Factors to consider include the level of transmission in the community, vaccination coverage at the school, and the presence of high-risk individuals in the family. For families with young children not yet in school, the antibodies passed from vaccinated mothers through the placenta and breast milk offer promising protection, but the extent and duration of that protection are still uncertain. The CDC now officially recommends vaccination for pregnant and lactating women due to the increasing risks of COVID-19 itself. The decisions parents make depend on various factors and are deeply personal.
Determining Priorities During Uncertain Times: Establish top priority (health, school, or home safety) to guide decision-making during uncertain times, easing anxiety and providing clarity.
During uncertain times like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, making decisions about the safety and wellbeing of children can be a challenging and anxiety-inducing process. Parents are often left questioning how to assess risks and prioritize their family's needs. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but the expert suggests that families should first determine their top priority – whether it's keeping their child from getting infected, preventing them from bringing the virus home, or ensuring they don't fall behind in school. Once a priority is established, the rest of the decisions can follow. While the answers may not be clear-cut, having a framework to guide decision-making can provide a sense of clarity and ease some of the anxiety. Ultimately, parents must navigate these complex situations with care and consideration for their unique circumstances.
Navigating complex and dangerous situations: The Biden administration's evacuation efforts in Afghanistan involve difficult trade-offs, and focusing on what matters most is crucial. The use of civil defense law to commandeer commercial airliners highlights the complexity and danger of the situation, and the evacuation of thousands of people will be a painful process regardless of when it started.
Decisions involving trade-offs are inherently challenging, and the current situation in Afghanistan, specifically the evacuation process, is a prime example. The Biden administration's efforts to evacuate Americans and allies have resulted in difficult choices, balancing risks and unpleasant outcomes. The use of a civil defense law to commandeer commercial airliners for the operation underscores the complexity and danger of the situation. Despite the challenges, it's essential to focus on what matters most and try to navigate the situation as best as possible. The evacuation of thousands of people from Kabul will be a painful process regardless of when it started, and the images of heartbreak and loss are inevitable. This episode of The Daily was produced by Michael Simon Johnson, Sydney Harper, Chelsea Daniel, and Annie Brown, with help from Soraya Shockley and Robert Jemison. It was edited by Dave Shaw and Lisa Chow and engineered by Chris Wood. Special thanks to the hundreds of parents who sent in their questions.
