The politicization of the pandemic has eroded public confidence in vaccines, which are among our greatest public health tools. This tragic response pertains primarily to the COVID-19 vaccines, but could soon extend beyond it.
This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized COVID-19 booster shots for children as young as 5. As a doctor, I’m glad the CDC took this step. And Dr. Paul Offit, head of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the Food and Drug Administration’s Advisory Committee on vaccines, told me he also supports adding the coronavirus vaccine to the list of recommended immunizations for children.
Research highlights importance of vaccine for kids
The latest studies and data emphasize the importance of the vaccines for children. A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that the Moderna vaccine was safe and effective for children from 6 months to 5 years. Clinical data indicates that the vaccines decrease severity and hospitalization in adults and children who contract COVID-19.