GREENSBORO, N.C. — The COVID-19 vaccine is available to anyone 16 and older, but what about kids? In today's 2 Your Well-Being, we’re talking about kids, COVID-19, new variants, and the vaccine.
Dr. Suresh Nagappan is the Medical Director for the Children's Unit at Cone Health Moses Cone Hospital. He said there is still concern that those under 16 not only can get COVID-19 but will have worse systems because they're not vaccinated. The best way to protect kids who have not had the vaccine is by getting the vaccine yourself. If your chance of getting the vaccine is less because of the virus, so are the chances of the people around you.
Dr. Nagappan said cases in children are for the most part steady. Symptoms also seem just as severe as they were at the beginning of the year. When it comes to preventing the spread of COIVD-19 among kids, Dr. Nagappan said it's all about where you go. Doctors have seen a large number of cases in connection to youth sports. If your child is allowed to participate in youth sports, Dr. Nagappan said they should be outside and if they are inside they need to wear a mask.
He also said he wouldn't be surprised if the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available this summer for those 12 and up. He said vaccine makers are close to presenting their findings to the FDA for approval. If you're a parent unsure about giving your child the vaccine, Dr. Nagappan said read the studies. That's what he will do when they're made available by the FDA. He also said he would not recommend something he wouldn't give to his own children and he feels comfortable getting his children vaccinated.
