Children's Mercy ready to offer COVID-19 vaccine to kids 12-15 once CDC gives go-ahead
Hospital will be offering appointments for the vaccine on its website
Hospital will be offering appointments for the vaccine on its website
Hospital will be offering appointments for the vaccine on its website
Kansas City children as young as 12 years old could get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the week. The Food and Drug Administration just authorized emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine in that younger age group. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signs off on it, Children's Mercy will be ready to go.
Within 24 hours, the CDC is expected to sign off on emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine in children 12 to 15 years old. It's a move that Children's Mercy has been waiting for.
"It's going to get our kids back to normal. It's going to get them back to school. It's going to get us back to seeing our grandparents, and in the community safely. We're really excited about that opportunity," said Dr. Ryan McDonough, of Children's Mercy Hospital.
As far as potential side effects in children, doctors at Children's Mercy tell us it's about the same as what we're seeing in adults: a possible fever and a sore arm that generally goes away in a few days.
For those questioning the importance of vaccinating young people, doctors say twice as many children have died of COVID-19 as typically die from the flu. Also, there's an inflammatory condition that can develop in children with COVID-19 so doctors encourage getting the vaccine.
"We can save lives. We can prevent hospitalizations and intensive care. We can prevent MISC by getting these kids vaccinated. In addition, we can also prevent infections to parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles," said Dr. Angela Myers, director of infectious diseases at Children's Mercy Hospital.
Children's Mercy already has a significant supply of the Pfizer vaccine on hand so with CDC approval and the go ahead from Missouri and Kansas, this new phase of vaccination could happen fast.
"I think we were all just a little surprised, but we have been prepping for weeks in anticipation, so we're ready to go just as soon as those authorizations come in," McDonough said.
When it gets the go-ahead, Children's Mercy will be offering appointments for the vaccine on its website. Just be sure to register for the clinic on the side of the state line where you live.