Currently, two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for use during the pandemic in the United States. High-risk groups such as elderly people and frontline health care workers are first in line to receive them, with other adults and teens likely to have access later in 2021. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can only be given to persons aged 16 or older, whereas the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can only be given to persons aged 18 or older.

What is the current status of COVID-19 vaccine research in children and adolescents?  

To date, Pfizer has enrolled children down to age 12. Moderna is about to start a similar study, as is Janssen. Astra Zeneca has approval to enroll children in the UK, ages 5-12, but has not yet enrolled any children in the US. The AAP anticipates that studies including younger children will begin soon (perhaps over the next couple of months).   

Will there be a vaccine available for children before the 2021-22 school year?  

This will depend on the results of the trials of the vaccine in adolescents and children that are planned or underway now. Based on the current pace of research, it is potentially achievable that there will be a vaccine for at least some age groups of children and adolescents before the 2021-22 school year begins. 

Will the vaccine be required for school entry?  

When a vaccine is shown to be safe and effective in children, health authorities, including the CDC and the AAP, will make recommendations on when and how children should receive the vaccine. However, it is a state government decision which vaccines are required for school entry. Those decisions could vary by state.

Information taken from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the AAP’s Healthy Children websites.

This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.

Enjoy some holiday cheer along with your favorite doctors at Sunset!

We will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 8am-12:30pm.

We will be closed on Friday, December 25th and Friday, January 1st in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

We will be open our regular Saturday hours on December 26th and January 2nd.

We are available 24/7 by phone, regardless of holidays. Call our main phone-line where you will be able to speak with a triage nurse or the on-call physician.

In past years, many of you have filled out our patient survey. If your child has had a visit in the last six months and you are interested in filling out this year’s survey, please click the links to complete either the English or Spanish version. Here at Sunset, we value your opinion and appreciate honest feedback. We want to continue to provide our families with the best care possible and your feedback helps us to do that.

All families that complete a survey between December 1st and January 31st will be entered to win a $100 Target gift card drawn on February 15^th, 2021.

We feel very humbled to have the support of our amazing families and patients. Our mission has always been to provide excellent, state-of-the-art pediatric care to children in a respectful, kind and thoughtful manner. Sunset Pediatrics physicians and staff make the care and support of children, their families and caregivers our top priority, always mindful that our patients are our reason for being here.

Be sure to catch the article in the November “PDX Baby” print issue!