Why does it take so long to get COVID vaccines for children? Will vaccines cause autoimmune diseases?



[ad_1]

Concerned about the potential side effects of COVID-19[female[feminine vaccine? Not sure which activities are safe after vaccination? Whether you are vaccinated or not, AL.com will contact public health experts to address your concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Just send an email to [email protected] and we will ask an expert to answer your question directly.

Here are the questions we were able to answer for readers.

Vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 have grown in importance with the increase in the delta variant and the rise in infections and hospitalizations across Alabama. We answer your vaccine questions and get answers from health experts.

For answers, we spoke to David Kimberlin, a pediatric infectious disease physician for UAB and Children’s of Alabama. It should be noted that any questions you have about your own health should be directed to your primary care provider.

Question: I recently had a very difficult conversation about the vaccine and would like an answer to the question she raised. She is in her mid-70s, diabetic and married to someone with terminal lung cancer. They both refuse the vaccine. She was in tears because she was terrified that myself, my husband and my brother had all been vaccinated. She is convinced that the mRNA vaccine puts me at risk for autoimmune disease. She claims that I am going to contract another virus and when I do my body will overreact and start attacking itself. Specifically, she is afraid that I will get lupus and that is why these have never been approved before. Can you put me in touch with an expert who can help me understand this claim?

Reply: Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are extremely effective in preventing COVID disease and are very safe. They do not increase the risk of autoimmune disease. You absolutely must be vaccinated, just like anyone 12 years of age and over. This includes your friends you described above, both of whom are at high risk of death if (when) they contract the virus. The vaccine can prevent this.

Question: I have COPD. What are the recommendations for me? I know a bunch of people who had issues with the 2-shot chord but were okay with the J&J shot.

Reply: You should get the vaccine you have access to. All three (Pfizer, Moderna and J&J) are extremely effective in preventing COVID disease. The best vaccine for you is the one you can get today!

Question: My children are 7 years old and a little less than 5 years old. At the very least, I can’t wait to get both vaccinated. Can you help me understand why it takes so long for vaccines to be approved for their age group? Is the concern about safety, dosage, efficacy, what? It’s terrifying to be two weeks away from school with no mask warrant in our district and low rates among eligible people ages 12 and up. Can you help me understand why vaccine approval for young children is taking so long?

Reply: The Pfizer and Moderna studies in children under 12 are progressing very well. These studies have only started in the last few months, so while I certainly share your urgency in wanting to have a way to protect these young children with one or more COVID vaccines, we should also be celebrating how quickly things are going. are unrolled. The studies look at different doses and compare immune responses to those of older adolescents and young adults.

Here’s more information on COVID vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[ad_2]

Source link