4 Important Things You Should Know About Pediatric COVID Vaccine Dose

The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs and flows, based on new kinds of mutations. New variants like omicron make it important for all of us to get vaccinated. Apart from two doses of approved vaccines for those who are 18 years and older, boosters and low-dose COVID vaccines are now available. To protect children from the coronavirus infection, pediatric COVID vaccine doses are available in select regions. Read on to understand more about the COVID vaccine for 5–11-year-old children.

Additional Read: COVID-19 vs Flu

What is a low-dose COVID vaccine? 

A low-dose COVID vaccine injects a minimal number of antibodies inside your body. For instance, the vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech for children between 5 and 12 years, contains a dose of 10 micrograms compared to 30 micrograms for adults.  

Low doses of mRNA vaccines allow health professionals to administer more doses from a limited supply. It also allows them to monitor age-related differences and manage kids’ reactions to the vaccine better. Studies show that a low dose of the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 has elicited an immune response comparable to natural infections in adults. This means it does not have a null effect and can prove to be beneficial [1]. 

Who are these low-dose COVID vaccines for? 

These have been approved for children as vaccines for 5–11-year-olds in the UK. As a result of their efficacy, they can help speed up the global immunization effort. These low dose vaccines can also work as booster shots. Since 2016, a low dose strategy has successfully vaccinated millions of people in South Africa and Africa against yellow fever [2]. Low dose vaccine may also be effective in building immunity against the virus after some time in vaccinated adults. This requires the medical community to decide the best timeline for such boosters. 

What are the side effects after taking low dose COVID vaccines? 

The side effects of these low dose vaccines are the same as the other COVID vaccines. They may be less reactive in nature, as the dose is comparatively less. Apart from this, there is no difference in vaccine side effects for 5–11 years old kids compared to adults. The common side effects taking a COVID vaccine are as follows. 

• Fever 
• Chills 
• Fatigue 
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Pain at the site of injection
• Diarrhea  

However, you or your child may not experience all of them. Serious or long-lasting side effects of these vaccines are rare because they are continuously monitored and upgraded. If you or your kids face any adverse effects visit a doctor immediately.

Answers to common questions related to the COVID vaccine 

When will vaccines be available for 5–11-year-olds? 

COVAXIN is available to children in India between the ages 12 and 18. Vaccine approval for 5–11-year-old kids has not been announced yet. The Pfizer vaccine for 5–11-year-olds has received approval by the European Medicines Agency. Switzerland has approved both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine for 5–11-year-olds.  

Where to get COVID vaccine for 5-11 years old? 

You can visit the coWIN and other government healthcare websites to register for vaccination. You can also check the vaccine mandate for 5-11 years old in your area. For vaccine booking of 5–11 years old, visit your nearest healthcare center or clinic and you can download cowin certificate online. 

Which COVID vaccine is best for kids? 

All vaccines available in the market have proved to be efficient. Based on your kids’ health and vaccine availability, doctors can advise you on which COVID vaccine is best. 

Are there any COVID vaccines for kids under 5? 

Currently, Pfizer is working on testing and evaluating extra low dose of COVID vaccines for babies of 6 months to kids up to 5 years of age. These may contain 1/10th of the dose compared to that offered to adults. 

Additional Read: Child Vaccination in India

 If not treated properly, COVID-19 can lead to further complications. Reports have linked lung disease with COVID. People infected with COVID are at a higher risk of developing acute kidney problems [3]. So, ensure that you are completely vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid complications. If you notice any side effects after vaccination, contact a doctor immediately. To make this easier, you can book your slot for COVID vaccination on Bajaj Finserv Health. You can also book doctor consultation on the platform. Consult with the best doctors and medical experts to address your health issues without any delay.