1/Last Friday, the @FDACommissioner authorized @pfizer's #COVID19 #vaccine for children 5-11.
Tomorrow, an advisory committee to the @CDCDirector will discuss possible clinical recommendations for this vaccine.
Tomorrow, an advisory committee to the @CDCDirector will discuss possible clinical recommendations for this vaccine.
2/@MEPublicHealth has been preparing for the arrival of this vaccine in #Maine.
One of the most common questions we receive is about the vaccine's safety.
Here is what parents should know today.
One of the most common questions we receive is about the vaccine's safety.
Here is what parents should know today.
3/@pfizer's clinical trial supporting authorization enrolled 4647 children and followed them from an average of 2.4 weeks to over two months. 
4/There were adverse events in the trials.
The most common were fatigue (39%), headache (28%), and muscle pain (12%).
As with adults, the reactions were more common after the 2nd dose. Fever/chills were less frequent compared to older children and adults.
The most common were fatigue (39%), headache (28%), and muscle pain (12%).
As with adults, the reactions were more common after the 2nd dose. Fever/chills were less frequent compared to older children and adults.
5/There were 5 serious adverse events in the trial. But none was linked to the vaccine.
Three children had fractures (2 vaccine, 1 placebo)
One child developed arthritis (vaccine)
One child in the vaccine group ingested a penny.
(h/t @dr_kkjetelina for noting the penny)
Three children had fractures (2 vaccine, 1 placebo)
One child developed arthritis (vaccine)
One child in the vaccine group ingested a penny.
(h/t @dr_kkjetelina for noting the penny)
6/There were no cases of myocarditis in the clinical trial.
But to be fair, there may not have been enough children enrolled to detect a case of myocarditis since it is so rare.
So how should we think about that?
But to be fair, there may not have been enough children enrolled to detect a case of myocarditis since it is so rare.
So how should we think about that?
7/The risk of myocarditis varies. But to date, there have been 877 reported cases of vaccine-induced myocarditis among 12-29 year olds from 100,000,000+ vaccinated.
None of those cases resulted in death, though most resulted in hospitalization. The vast majority recovered.
None of those cases resulted in death, though most resulted in hospitalization. The vast majority recovered.
8/Right now, the risk of myocarditis after a #COVID19
vaccine ranges from 9-11 cases/100K vaccinated males.
But here is the question: how does that risk compare with the risk of myocarditis from #COVID19?
Why do I ask? Because COVID itself can cause myocarditis.
vaccine ranges from 9-11 cases/100K vaccinated males.
But here is the question: how does that risk compare with the risk of myocarditis from #COVID19?
Why do I ask? Because COVID itself can cause myocarditis.
9/Answer: the risk of myocarditis is MUCH lower from a vaccine than from COVID.
The risk of myocarditis from #COVID19 is around 150/100K patients w/COVID.
So the risk of myocarditis is ~15X *lower* from the #vaccine than from COVID itself.
The risk of myocarditis from #COVID19 is around 150/100K patients w/COVID.
So the risk of myocarditis is ~15X *lower* from the #vaccine than from COVID itself.
10/Let me put this differently: if myocarditis were the *ONLY* thing you cared about when it comes to your child's health, then getting vaccinated is preferable because the risk of getting myocarditis is higher after COVID than after the vaccine.
11/Now I know what you're saying: what about the unknown, long-term side effects?
Fortunately, when it comes to vaccines, side effects materialize within the first weeks/months after administration.
Fortunately, when it comes to vaccines, side effects materialize within the first weeks/months after administration.
12/Every single pediatrician, family doctor, and nurse practitioner I have spoken with says that they will vaccinate their own children as soon as the #vaccine is available.
These are the professionals entrusted to care for children, so why not trust them on this?
These are the professionals entrusted to care for children, so why not trust them on this?
13/One final and important note: no one will vaccinate your child without your express consent to do so.
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