pfizer Archives - EZ.Insure

Covid Vaccines For Children Under 5

On June 18, 2022 the CDC accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children ages 6 months and older should be vaccinated against Covid 19. Before that, children under 5 were not eligible to receive the vaccine. A lot of parents can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing a vaccine is available for their children. Let’s take a look at the newly approved options.

2 Options

The CDC and the FDA approved both Moderna’s two-part vaccine for children ages 6 months – 5 years and three-dose vaccine for children ages 6 months – 4 years. Moderna’s two-part vaccine involves a 25 microgram dose in each part.and are given 4 weeks apart. For Pfizer’s three-dose vaccine, each dose is 3 micrograms. The first 2 shots are given 3 weeks apart, and the third is given at least 2 months after the second so the series is a longer process. If a pharmacy or pediatrician has both vaccines available and a child falls within the range for both Pfizer and Moderna, parents can choose which one they’d like for their child.

Differences and Similarities

covid vaccine — COVID-19 vaccines are safe—much safer than getting COVID-19.

As mentioned above, Pfizer’s series has 3 doses as opposed to Moderna’s 2, which makes it longer to complete and has 1 additional shot. If you’ve dealt with small children, less visits to get a poke may be an incentive but if it’s efficacy you’re after, Pfizer’s 3 dose series provided a higher percentage at 80% in children ages 6 months to 4 years. Moderna’s efficacy was 37% in children ages 2 to 5 and 51% in children ages 6 to 23 months. As far as side effects, fever and fatigue were less common in Pfizer’s vaccine. In both, side effects were mild and no cases of myocarditis were reported. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle and is a known risk of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in adults and adolescents but particularly for young men. The bottom line is that while there are some differences, they both lower the risk of kids getting seriously ill from Covid-19 and prevent needing to be hospitalized.

Why Vaccinate Children Under 5?

boy in mask — A Covid-19 vaccine can be given to eligible children on the same day as other vaccines.

Since the pandemic began, more than 2 million children under 5 have been infected with Covid-19 and more than 400 young children have died from it. Much to everyone’s dismay it’s not going away anytime soon. Vaccinating helps prevent children from getting Covid-19 and can help families get back to a more normal life. Talk to your pediatrician and decide what vaccine is right for your child today. While Covid-19 vaccinations are available for everyone 6 months and older at no cost, it is still important to be sure you have a health insurance plan that suits you and your family’s needs. If you’re shopping for a plan, your best bet is to speak to a licensed EZ agent. Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, so we can compare plans in minutes. We will not only find a plan that has all the benefits you’re looking for, but we will also make sure the plan fits your budget. To get free, no obligation, instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

CDC Approves COVID Boosters For All Adults

While there are growing concerns all over the world about a new Covid variant known as Omicron, health experts here are still urging calm and continuing to encourage as many Americans as possible to get vaccinated. Vaccines continue to prove effective against the virus, and there is no evidence yet that they will not protect us from the new strain of the virus. There is, though, some worry that the effectiveness of the vaccines begins to lessen over time, so older and immunocompromised patients have been eligible for booster doses for some time now. But now, as health experts begin to focus on the severity of the new variant, the CDC has given the green light to administer Covid-19 vaccine boosters to all adults.

a crowd of different colored silhouette of people — *The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices changed their policy on Covid-19 vaccines, allowing all adults to get booster shots.*

The Expansion

At the end of October, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to change their policy on Covid-19 vaccines, approving booster shots for everyone, and not just for people 50 and older, or those who are immunocompromised. Now, the only requirements to receive a booster are that individuals must be 18 or older, and must be at least six months past their last dose of a two-dose vaccine, or two months past a single-shot vaccine.

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., said of the decision, “After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”

Who Should Get A Third Dose?

Individuals are still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but booster shots are recommended to increase protection, especially among people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe Covid.

For most people, these boosters should be given 6 months after being fully vaccinated; those with moderately to severely compromised immune systems, or who are living in a long-term care setting, should receive a full dose of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. It is recommended that the third dose be from the same manufacturer as the first two, although the CDC has approved the mixing and matching of boosters.

For individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, boosters shots are recommended for those who are 18 and older, and were vaccinated two or more months ago.

As of now, no one knows what is going on with the new Covid variant Omicron, and there have been no cases detected in the U.S. yet, but the CDC and health experts are urging Americans to continue to get vaccinated to better protect themselves and others.