COVID Update: We turn our focus now to 28 million kids 5-11.
Presuming final approval next week, this vaccine rollout will have a number of differences & In hoping we don’t run from the nuances. 1/
Presuming final approval next week, this vaccine rollout will have a number of differences & In hoping we don’t run from the nuances. 1/
There will be 28 million kids newly eligible for vaccination.
There is little doubt that they are at risk from COVID & Delta. 6 million kids have had COVID, over 1 million in the last 6 weeks. 2/
There is little doubt that they are at risk from COVID & Delta. 6 million kids have had COVID, over 1 million in the last 6 weeks. 2/
While few kids end up of dying of COVID, cases aren’t all mild, nor do they all end when the acute illness ends. MIS-C is quite problematic.
And cases can be severe in kids. This summer thousands of kids per week were being hospitalized. 3/
And cases can be severe in kids. This summer thousands of kids per week were being hospitalized. 3/
Kids are also not terminal COVID cases. Kids spread COVID unknowingly to teachers, parents, grandparents & other adults— as well as kids in school with childhood cancer.
Kids play a vital role in the chain of infection. 4/
Kids play a vital role in the chain of infection. 4/
In fact, kids and others who spread COVID without experiencing symptoms themselves may be one of the most dangerous & ingenious elements of the design of COVID.
Carriers allow diseases to remain lethal for some without ending by killing all their hosts. 5/
Carriers allow diseases to remain lethal for some without ending by killing all their hosts. 5/
So vaccinating kids 5-11 takes on great importance in reducing spread & deaths & hastening the pandemic’s end with more blanket immunity.
Still for many these reasons may not matter in the face of the slight but non-zero risk of heart problems among some kids. 6/
Still for many these reasons may not matter in the face of the slight but non-zero risk of heart problems among some kids. 6/
People who traffic in data & evidence for a living like public health professionals & scientists must not race past the concerns of parents in this process.
They must wade into the area of public health communication that is most challenging: nuance. 7/
They must wade into the area of public health communication that is most challenging: nuance. 7/
Public health professionals & government officials must not run from the challenge of talking to parents about the nuances of this decision. 8/
Many parents will quickly & eagerly vaccinate their kids for the reasons above. If our kids were 5-11, we would be in that group.
Alas those days are now well past us. 😟 9/
Alas those days are now well past us. 😟 9/
When it comes down to it, most parents face a simple question: is the benefit to my kid greater than the risk?
In vaccinating themselves people may take into account the overall societal benefit, but when it comes to their own kids, their safety may be their only concern. 10/
In vaccinating themselves people may take into account the overall societal benefit, but when it comes to their own kids, their safety may be their only concern. 10/
So what does the data actually say?
Under most circumstances, the benefit of vaccinating a 5-11 year old outweighs the risks. Those circumstances include times when even modest amounts of COVID are circulating. 11/
Under most circumstances, the benefit of vaccinating a 5-11 year old outweighs the risks. Those circumstances include times when even modest amounts of COVID are circulating. 11/
But in situations where there is negligible COVID (not the situation we face today), the benefits are unsurprisingly not very significant & the risk, however modest, stays the same.
Still strong benefit to society but for kids themselves, there is a more nuanced answer. 12/
Still strong benefit to society but for kids themselves, there is a more nuanced answer. 12/
This is nuance parents have every right to understand & public health professionals should not brush over it in the interest of expediency.
The selective use of data is where public health risks its credibility. 13/
The selective use of data is where public health risks its credibility. 13/
There is a better approach.
Unlike adult vaccinations, 25,000 pediatricians are signed up to vaccinate kids.
Pediatricians are used to communicating directly with parents 1:1 about vaccinations & answering their questions. They are best positioned for this conversation. 14/
Unlike adult vaccinations, 25,000 pediatricians are signed up to vaccinate kids.
Pediatricians are used to communicating directly with parents 1:1 about vaccinations & answering their questions. They are best positioned for this conversation. 14/
Most pediatricians will be able to discuss the mild side effects & the much more rare serious cases & counsel parents about the school, sports & camping situations where they are at real risk— all while asking about family situations & other exposures. 15/
Pediatricians must also explain that there are likely to be kids in the school with childhood cancer who deserve a safe environment, grandparents who care for their grandkids & teachers who show up every day & deserve to be safe.16/
Sadly not all kids have pediatricians— a more important underlying issue— so community clinics, schools & pharmacists must be armed with the information to answer questions. 16/
My response to parents who ask is what I said on @CNN tonight: if you have concerns about vaccinating your kids, talk to a pediatrician. Get your questions answered. And be thoughtful about all the other families at school. 17/
The case for vaccinating kids is powerful & doesn’t require shortcuts. It does call for nuance & a real appreciation of how parents will face & consider the question.
Let’s enlist pediatricians & match our scientific progress with great public delivery. /end
Let’s get it done.
Let’s enlist pediatricians & match our scientific progress with great public delivery. /end
Let’s get it done.
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