Young Cincinnati-area children can now roll up their sleeves for a COVID-19 vaccine but they might be wincing when they do it.
Jo Dalton, a pediatric nurse working for Hamilton County Public Health, has seen it a lot during her 20-year career: "They manifest this anxiety even before they arrive," she said.
Dalton says she has a mission to end, or at least diminish, the fears. She's been teaching Hamilton County Public Health nurses how to administer inoculation with fewer shrieks and tears. She has advice for parents, too.
The lessons could become important soon, as an independent group of experts advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices committee Tuesday voted 14-0 in favor, recommending the vaccine for U.S. children in the age group under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization.
Later in the day, the CDC’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, agreed with the panel. The CDC approval creates the first opportunity for Americans under 12 to get the powerful protection of any COVID-19 vaccine.
Questions about COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11? Cincinnati Children's expert gives answers
Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff lauded the decision.
"The authorization of this COVID-19 vaccine for younger Ohioans is yet another crucial turning point in this pandemic," he said in a statement, "allowing us to better protect young children from severe complications from COVID-19."
Nearly 206,000 Ohio children age 17 or younger have been infected with the novel coronavirus. The CDC's action will make nearly a million Ohioans ages 5 to 11 eligible for vaccination.
Hamilton County Public Health has received the syringes for children's vaccines, and on Tuesday received 1,200 pediatric doses of Pfizer BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for young children, said spokesman Mike Samet.
Thanks to Dalton, the clinics will have stretchy and squeezable toys that kids can play with while they're being inoculated. Dalton even brought "buzzy bees," vibrating devices that stick to the child's arm and distract from the pain sensation while an injection is given.
The vaccine, ordered from the Ohio Health Department, was shipped directly from Pfizer, Samet said. It comes in an orange-capped vial, as opposed to the purple-capped vials that are for people 12 and older. It's the same vaccine at a third of the dosage given to those 12 and older.
How can I help my child stay calm?
If your plan for getting your child vaccinated doesn't include Hamilton County Public Health, you can still help your child de-stress, Dalton said.
"Children take their cues from their parents," she said, and she recommends that adults ask their questions in advance of their child's inoculation and remain calm.
Try to make the visit "a little fun," Dalton suggested. Allow your child to bring a comforting toy. Be sure to answer your child's questions sincerely, but honestly, and if possible, hold your child as they get vaccinated, she said.
"When they hold their child, it reduces the child's stress and it helps the nurse … do a procedure," Dalton said.
How can I find a vaccination site for my child?
Parents or guardians must be with their children during a vaccination. Samet suggested looking for a vaccination location through the Health Collaborative's vaccine web page, Test and Protect. There you can click on a button for vaccines for children 5 to 11, and get to a list of public pediatric providers.
Cincinnati City Health Department has vaccines available, and asks that once the approval for the 5- to 11-year-olds is given, parents secure a spot for vaccination online through ArmorVax.com.
Appointments are encouraged for first doses, said Maryse Amin, assistant health commissioner. A parent is required to make an account for a minor to schedule an appointment, she said. Anyone who does not have access to the webpage may call 513-357-7462 to schedule.
Where should my child go in Northern Kentucky?
St. Elizabeth Healthcare has ordered vaccines for all of its primary care and pediatric physician practices, said spokesman Guy Karrick. Families are encouraged to schedule an appointment for children's vaccines with their pediatrician or primary care doctor through MyChart or call their doctor's office.
"The thought is to give people an opportunity to have that one-on-one conversation with their doctor regarding anything related to the vaccine – mainly, is it safe for my kid?" Karrick said.
Northern Kentuckians who do not have a St. Elizabeth physician may want to check the Northern Kentucky Health Department's vaccine information for vaccine availability. The health department will vaccinate children 5 and older a day or so after approval is given, said spokeswoman Robin Feltner.
Residents may also check with local pharmacies and their children's pediatricians for vaccine availability.
Will Cincinnati Children's administer the vaccines?
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center began providing the vaccines Wednesday at its Avondale campus and will offer the vaccine at other locations, including the Liberty Campus in Butler County, Green Township outpatient center, Hopple Street Health Center and Cincinnati Children’s primary care offices.
Appointments are preferred, hospital officials said. On Tuesday evening, the medical center updated its COVID-19 vaccine scheduling page on its website.
The Cincinnati Children's Gamble Vaccine Research Center has been involved in clinical trials for 11 COVID-19 vaccines, including the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
Clermont County Public Health is also preparing to administer vaccines to the youngest group so far to be approved for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
"We received our initial shipment of the childhood COVID vaccine this morning," said Keith Robinson, spokesman for Clermont County Public Health.
He said the department will likely be able to start vaccines next week.
He suggested that parents check the health department website's COVID-19 vaccine page periodically for appointment availability and other information and noted many pediatricians will be providing the vaccine to children.
The latest vaccine information was not updated as of Tuesday afternoon on all of the region's vaccine providers' websites, but officials said they anticipated providing any new information soon.
Associated Press contributed.
COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 12: What you need to know about the shots and children
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