Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden: Parents Should Get Their Kids Vaccinated, Shots Approval Is A 'Relief'
The New York Times: Biden Urges Parents To Vaccinate Newly Eligible Children
President Biden on Wednesday urged millions of parents to get their young children vaccinated against the coronavirus, touting the government’s authorization of inoculations for children between 5 and 11 as a major milestone in the nation’s effort to end the pandemic. Mr. Biden’s comments came a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children. The decision was in sync with the Food and Drug Administration, which on Friday authorized emergency use of pediatric doses for the roughly 29 million children in that age group. (Kanno-Youngs and Weiland, 11/4)
Bangor Daily News: Waiting To Vaccinate Kids Is Risky, Maine’s Public Health Chief Warns
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah made an impassioned plea to parents on Wednesday that they get their young children vaccinated, saying it would provide a return to normalcy and protect their children from a devastating virus. His message, which was directed at the parents of 5- to 11-year-olds, comes one day after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on giving the vaccine to that age group. Preparations are already being made to begin giving the shots at pharmacies, schools, clinics and doctors’ offices, with appointments becoming available in the coming days. (Marino Jr., 11/4)
Fox News: Trump Surgeon General Speaks Out On Vaccinating Kids
Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as U.S. surgeon general under former President Trump, said Wednesday that he will be getting his 11-year-old daughter vaccinated against COVID-19 as the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. "It's really just about doing everything we can to protect our children and give them the best possible chance of growing up healthy and strong," Adams told Fox News. Health officials gave final approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 shot for children ages 5 to 11 on Tuesday, opening up 28 million more Americans to the vaccine. (Best, 11/3)
KQED: COVID Vaccines And Kids: Why Doctors Say Don't Wait, And Other FAQs
It's true that most children infected with the virus have only mild symptoms and that children rarely die from the disease. But scientists and health officials recommending the shot emphasize that vaccination could prevent many infections, as well as disruptions to schooling, hospitalizations and rare but severe complications of the disease. (Simmons-Duffin, 11/3)
What if your child is about to turn 12? —
KCRA: Should Kids About To Turn 12 Get The Child’s COVID-19 Vaccine Dose?
"If they're going to turn 12 soon, best to just go ahead and get started with that lower dose now and if they turn 12 in between the doses they'll have an option to either stick with the lower dose or go on to the higher dose. The good thing is the kids had fantastic immune responses with that lower dose. So parents don't need to worry that the lower dose won't be effective enough," said Kaiser Permanente pediatrician Dr. Nicole Makram. (Gonzales, 11/3)
Also —
PBS NewsHour: Analyzing Long-Term Impact, Side Effects And Risks Of COVID Shot For Kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved the use of COVID vaccines in children ages 5 to 11. But a Kaiser Family Foundation survey found only 27% of parents plan to opt for the shot. One third plan to wait. Another 30% say they won't vaccinate their kids. William Brangham reports with Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' infectious diseases committee. (11/2)
The Boston Globe: ‘In Your Heart, It Does Tug At You.’ Parents Weighing COVID-19 Vaccines For Kids 5-11 Must First Battle Their Own Anxiety
Dr. Lloyd Fisher, a Worcester pediatrician and president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said about 30 percent of the parents calling his office are already seeking the kids’ shots, and another 30 percent are “extremely resistant.” The rest, about 40 percent, aren’t sure. “Those are the ones we focus on,” Fisher said. ”They probably want to give their child the shot, but they want to be reassured they are doing the right thing.” Historically, Massachusetts has one of the highest rates in the country for established childhood vaccines, from polio to pertussis. And CDC data show it also has one of the highest rates for COVID vaccinations among people 12 and older, trailing only Vermont and Connecticut. (Lazar, 11/3)
