With delta variant fueling COVID outbreak, concern grows for children not yet eligible for vaccine

With the delta variant fueling a wave of COVID-19 cases across the country, there is growing concern about children who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says children now account for more than a fifth of new cases. A year ago it was only around 3%.

“Some of them need breathing tubes, and some of them even just inserting the breathing tubes is not enough,” said Dr Trey Dunbar, president of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health. in Louisiana.

In states like Florida, which saw its largest single-day increase in new cases over the weekend, more young people are getting vaccinated.

“COVID is really heating up and I think it’s really important that my kids get vaccinated,” said parent Charles Petraske.

As the pace of vaccinations slows dramatically, Los Angeles County is trying to make it easier for more people to get vaccinated.

The five vaccination sites run by the county, including the Commerce Senior Center, will now be open on Sundays when they were traditionally closed.

The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only US vaccine licensed for children 12 years of age and older. Moderna expects the Food and Drug Administration to rule on its request for children of the same age group soon.

Moderna said last week that she expects to have enough data to seek FDA clearance for young children by the end of this year or early 2022. Pfizer said she planned to apply in September for children aged 5 to 11.

Children who cannot yet get vaccinated are still vulnerable to COVID-19, experts warn

Dr. Joseph Kanter, public health official for the Louisiana Department of Health, urges families to immunize all eligible children. He said the argument that they rarely get seriously ill from COVID-19 is becoming obsolete.

“In absolute numbers, we are seeing younger individuals and children getting sicker in greater numbers and getting more severe numbers with delta than before,” he said.

Young people themselves grapple with misinformation and hesitation about vaccines among parents and peers.

Angelica Granados, 16, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, finally got her mother’s permission to take a COVID-19 vaccine last month. She was worried about a possible allergic reaction.

“I’ve always wanted to take it,” said Granados, describing the blow as a choice between “going back to normal life” or risking infection.

Her mother, Erica Gonzales, stayed there while she received the injection and waited with her for an extended 30-minute observation period.

“I didn’t want her to take it, but I mean, it’s her choice. It’s her body. She knows him best,” Gonzales said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.