A brand new examine has discovered that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine provides almost no protection against infection of the Omicron variant in children between the ages of 5 and 11. Researchers from the New York State Division of Well being discovered {that a} two-dose sequence of the vaccine was simply 12% efficient at stopping an infection from the Omicron variant.
The vaccine does provide some protection against severe illness and is 48% efficient at stopping those that are contaminated from requiring hospitalization.
The researchers additionally examined youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17, who got the next dosage than youthful youngsters, and located that the vaccine’s effectiveness fell from 66% to 51% because the Omicron variant surged throughout the nation. The vaccine’s effectiveness in opposition to hospitalization fell to 73% for that age group.
Based mostly on the results of the study, which has not been peer-reviewed, many well being consultants are suggesting that youngsters may even want a booster shot to make sure they continue to be protected in opposition to COVID-19 and its variants.
Whereas booster photographs for kids beneath the age of 12 haven’t been licensed by the FDA, medical doctors are nonetheless urging dad and mom to get their children vaccinated as a result of they do present safety in opposition to extreme illness and hospitalization.
“Every dad or mum has to make her or his personal resolution about whether or not they wish to vaccinate their youngster,” Dr. Cody Meissner, who heads the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Tufts Children’s Hospital in Boston, told USA Today. “A superbly wholesome youngster may be very, not possible to be hospitalized with COVID-19 – that does not imply it is zero, however it’s important to think twice about what’s in the most effective curiosity of the kid.”
