06/16/2021
Some parents had already decided that they were going to be the first in line to get a COVID-19 vaccine, as soon as Emergency Use Authorization was granted by the FDA for use in 12–15-year-olds on May 10, 2021. Other parents had already decided that there was no way they would ever get a COVID-19 vaccine for their kids, even if Emergency Use Authorization was granted.
❌This article is NOT for either of those parents.
✅This article is for those parents who have questions. Those parents who may have had the vaccine themselves, and who may want the vaccine for their kids, but have hesitations about the novel mRNA technology and lack of long-term safety data in kids. Those parents who, in light of the fact that the risk to the vast majority of kids for serious disease and death from COVID-19 is so low, and a link to myocarditis and the vaccine is probable, want reassurance that the vaccine’s short-term and long-term risks for serious adverse events are as low, or lower, than the risk from COVID-19 infection.
I am here as a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained pediatrician to share what I know to help you and your child make as informed a decision as possible, given the limitations of the information we currently have.
👉If you’d like more information, you can read my article, “Should Kids Get a COVID-19 Vaccine? A pediatrician’s perspective” HERE:
https://healthykidshappykids.com/2021/06/14/should-kids-get-a-covid-19-vaccine/
💗I am here to support parents and children no matter what they choose. But I implore you to make your decision based on science and NOT fear.
If you need me to be 100% pro- or anti-vax, I am NOT the doctor for you to follow. I AM here to help you make calm, rational, evidence-based decisions for your family & I will respect whatever informed decision you choose to make. Rude, disrespectful comments will not be tolerated.
xo Elisa Song, MD💕