Children’s dose our best line of defence for Covid
With Omicron knocking we need to vaccinate our tamariki,
From Monday, nearly half a million Kiwi kids aged 5 to 11 will be eligible to receive their Covid-19 vaccine. This is great news, especially given the rapid spread of Omicron around the globe. Omicron is knocking on our door and it’s only a matter of time before it escapes into the community.
We know when this happens it will spread rapidly. That is why it is so important parents and caregivers act now to vaccinate their tamariki quickly and help us get into the best position to manage a major outbreak.
But I know some parents will be asking questions about the vaccine and whether they should get their tamariki vaccinated.
I get it. There is a lot of complex information out there that means we can feel confused or, at times, overwhelmed. But I also know from experience that parents want to do all they can to protect their tamariki.
I want to make it clear it is absolutely okay to ask questions and to open up the discussion with your partner or other caregivers, as well as your GP.
In doing this, remember vaccines are our best form of protection for our tamariki, whānau and communities — especially with the new school year just around the corner.
The vaccine used for tamariki is a children’s version of the Pfizer shot, about a third of the adult dose.
For tamariki aged 5 to 11, clinical trial results showed the Pfizer vaccine was 90.7 per cent effective against getting Covid-19 symptoms, and no participants developed severe Covid-19.
Simply put, the children’s dose is safe, effective, and our best line of defence against Covid-19.
Compared with the 2020 outbreak, we have seen more young people become infected by the Delta variant. A total of 2226, or 20 per cent of those infected in Aotearoa, have been tamariki aged 9 or under.
And while tamariki are at a much lower risk of suffering serious illness from Covid-19, this doesn’t mean they don’t get sick. They do.
And worse, our tamariki might even be at higher risk than their peers in other countries due to our higher rates of asthma and obesity, particularly among Māori and Pacific young people.
Tamariki infected with Covid-19 are also at risk of developing a rare, but serious, condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome, that causes different body parts, including the heart and lungs and brain, to become inflamed.
Since the pandemic started, more than 2300 cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome have been reported among children in the United States.
And young tamariki with underlying medical conditions have a higher risk of serious illness and hospitalisation. In fact, those aged 9 and under account for 7 per cent of all hospitalised cases.
Immunising your child protects them from potentially becoming severely ill and lowers the risk of hospitalisation if infected with the Covid-19 virus.
But there several other benefits. Like adults, if your tamariki are infected with Covid-19, they may transmit the virus to others in your wh¯anau or the community who may be more susceptible to severe consequences of infection or breakthrough infection for those who are vaccinated.
It can also help to restore a more normal life for our tamariki to continue learning, socialising and playing with their friends with less disruption.
So, if you’ve decided to get your child vaccinated, what should you know?
First things first, there are many walk-in vaccination clinics across the country where you don’t need to book an appointment. If you feel more comfortable doing so, you can also arrange an appointment with your child’s regular GP if one is available.
When you’re there, feel free to ask all the questions you may have, and allow your tamariki to do the same.
If they’re a little nervous, you might consider providing encouragement, setting a positive incentive after the appointment, or bringing something along that can help to distract them.
The symptoms from the children’s version of the Pfizer vaccine are similar to those seen in the 12- to 15-year-olds, but are generally mild and should last only between 24 and 48 hours.
However, young tamariki may have trouble describing the side effects they are experiencing, so keep an eye on them for a couple of days after vaccination.
If they feel unwell, get them to rest and drink plenty of fluids. If they have pain at the injection site you can put a cold cloth or ice pack on it, and if you’re worried about any symptoms seek medical advice from your GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
Our tamariki are the last remaining unvaccinated group in the population and every child vaccinated moves us one step closer to ending this pandemic.
● Dr Mataroria Lyndon is a cofounder and clinical director of Tend. He completed his masters of public health at Harvard University and his PhD at the University of Auckland.