COLORADO SPRINGS — An FDA committee meets today to discuss amending Pfizer's, emergency use authorization, to include kids 5 to 11. The company says it's vaccine is 90 percent effective for kids in that age group.
A new poll published by the American Academy of Pediatricsshows parents with children in that 5 to 11 range are split on the idea. The head of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Lee Beers, told our news partners it's understandable parents have questions. Dr. Beers says their surveys tell them parents feel it's important to get younger child vaccinated in a pediatrician's office. Those doctors are currently vaccinating adolescents and teens and sometimes their caregivers as well. It's a different discussion and decision with older children, who Beers says, are more open to the idea of vaccination.
"I think sometimes we don't give our teenagers enough credit. They are smart and they want to be healthy, and they also care about their community," said. Dr. Beers.
Beers says one reason parents should consider getting their children vaccinated is their mental health.
"The social isolation, and that disruption to their education, you know too many have experienced grief and loss, so there's so many reasons why children's mental health and well being has been affected as well."
If you have questions, experts say to visit with your child's pediatrician. You can also request information from your local state and health departments. If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine, here are some resources below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html
