Parents of Peachtree Park Pediatrics,
We continually strive to provide you with the most up to date information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on for pandemic-related updates and resources.
Vaccine for Children Under Five
For children 6 months to 5 years of age, Pfizer has “submitted their clinical trial data to the FDA for its review.”
See – NPR: When can babies and kids under age 5 get their shots? Here’s the timeline
Once the vaccine is approved by the FDA and recommended by the CDC and AAP, PPP will schedule vaccine clinics to provide shots to our patients under 5. Please look for updates from our office over the next few months.
Fully Vaccinated vs. Up-To-Date
The CDC recently indicated that the term “Up-to-date” will replace “Fully Vaccinated” when used to identify people who have had all doses of COVID vaccine that they are eligible to receive.
“That means if you recently got your second dose, you’re not eligible for a booster, you’re up to date. If you are eligible for a booster and you haven’t gotten it, you’re not up to date and you need to get your booster in order to be up to date” said the CDC Director.
AAP Emphasizes In-person Learning
The AAP recently urged school districts to safely allow student to learn in-person.
“In-school learning should be prioritized, with diligent adherence to safety measures such as vaccination, universal masking and physical distancing.
In the updated guidance, the AAP recommended that all children aged 5 years and older receive COVID-19 vaccinations, that schools maintain universal indoor masking, that meal spaces be modified to reduce the risk for spread, and that schools prioritize testing kits for schools to distribute.”
Vaccination is Effective in Preventing Serious Illness From Omicron
“Unvaccinated adults were 23 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron wave than adults who were vaccinated and boosted, according to a new study.”
See – The Hill: CDC: COVID-19 hospitalizations 23 times higher for unvaccinated than boosted
“The CDC study found by far the highest rates of cases and hospitalizations among unvaccinated people, followed by vaccinated but not boosted people, with vaccinated and boosted people having the most protection.”
Masking of Children Keeps Daycares Open
A recent study found that “childcare programs that required children to be masked were associated with fewer closures at baseline and throughout the course of a year than those that did not.”
“’Our findings support current national recommendations … for masking children 2 years and older in childcare programs when community COVID-19 transmission levels are elevated’ and when vaccination is not widely available, the authors concluded.”
Any Change to Menstrual Cycle After COVID Vaccine Is Minor, Temporary
“Potential menstrual changes associated with getting a COVID vaccine are typically minor and temporary, two new international studies confirm.”
See – HealthDay:Any Change to Menstrual Cycle After COVID Vaccine Is Minor, Temporary: Studies
“Many women have, in fact, reported menstrual changes after getting COVID-19 vaccines, and that’s prompted researchers to examine the issue.”
In one study “after accounting for other factors, the first dose of vaccine had no effect on the timing of the subsequent period, while getting the second dose was associated with an average delay of 0.45 days.
However, among all the vaccinated women, menstrual cycle lengths returned to normal within two cycles after vaccination.”
Vaccinated Parents Protect Unvaccinated Kids
“A new study shows vaccinated parents provided some protection for their unvaccinated children during the alpha and delta coronavirus waves.”
See – The Hill: Study shows vaccinated parents provide some protection for unvaccinated kids
“During the alpha wave, unvaccinated children in a household with two fully vaccinated parents were found to have a 71.7 percent lower risk of getting the coronavirus, when compared with unvaccinated children in households with unvaccinated parents.
During the delta wave, the study found that unvaccinated children with two parents who were fully vaccinated and had the booster shot had a 58.1 percent lower risk of infection when compared with unvaccinated children in households with parents who had been fully vaccinated at least five months prior but not gotten the booster shot. In households with only one vaccinated and boosted parent, meanwhile, the risk only decreased by 20.8 percent.”
We encourage everyone to continue to use good hand hygiene and practice social distancing as much as possible. Please contact our office with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Peachtree Park Pediatrics
For reliable, up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit:
- From the CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019
- From the AAP: 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Peachtree Park Pediatrics strives to deliver up-to-date primary care to our infant, child, and young adult patients in a welcoming and family-friendly environment. The practice has deep roots in the Atlanta community, and it is our continued honor to be entrusted with the health care of our next generation.
