COVID-19 vaccines for Hoosier children ages 6 months to 5 years: What parents need to know

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In light of the Food and Drug Administration's recent unanimous vote to expand the emergency use authorization for Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for children as young as 6 months old, an Indiana pediatrician addressed some key questions Thursday.

Dr. Sarah Bosslet, the director of primary care and a pediatrician at Riley Children's Health at IU Health in Indianapolis, took the time Thursday to answer FAQ's in a media briefing.

What was your reaction to the FDA providing approval for Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for these young children?

"We are so excited that approval came through for COVID vaccines for our youngest patient populations," Bosslet said. "For the last couple of years, we've seen a lot of stressed out families missing work and child care with their children being sick. So to finally have a vaccine to help prevent a lot of these illnesses is wonderful."

What are the differences between the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine (for this age group)?

"Moderna vaccine for the 6-month to 5-years-old age group is a two-shot series," Bosslet said. "So it'd be one shot now, and a second shot in about four weeks. It's about a quarter of the strength of an adult dose.

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"The Pfizer vaccine, the approval that just came through is now for that 6-months to 4-years-old age range. We've had it available for 5 (years-old children) and up for a while. The Pfizer vaccine for this age group is a three-shot series. So it's a shot now, a shot in three weeks, and then that third shot will be eight weeks or more after the second. It's important for both vaccines that the series is completed to get the full effect and protection."

Are there any conditions or circumstances where vaccinating children in this age range would not be appropriate?

"Really, the only thing parents should pause and wait on is if their child is actively sick," Bosslet said. "So if your child has a fever, or has really severe vomiting and diarrhea, if they're clearly ill, please wait until they feel better to get the COVID vaccine."

Can vaccine brands be mixed and maxed for my young children?

"At this time, we do not recommend mixing and matching," Bosslet said. "We want you to start one series and finish it. That may change as more information comes out over time and we learn more."

Can children near 6 months of age, such as 5 months old, get the vaccine?

"We know parents are anxious to get this protection for their children, but it's not approved for children less than 6 months old," Bosslet said. "So you have to wait until the 6-months age range to get the shot."

Should children who have already had COVID-19 get the vaccine?

"The great new is, if you've had COVID infection and you get the vaccine, your protection looks really good," Bosslet said. "...We still recommend COVID vaccine to help protect them."

Will there be boosters for children in this age group?/ When do you recommend children receive booster vaccines?

"We do expect boosters," Bosslet said. "The FDA mentioned that and it will certainly be part of the plan. We don't know the timing yet and we will be waiting for more information on that."

"...The CDC does have a wonderful booster tool that you can go to where you put in what shots you've had and the timing, and then it tells you when you're due. We do expect boosters to be a routine part of COVID vaccination, so that will be a helpful tool depending on what brand you've gotten and where you're at in the vaccination process."

When will the approved vaccines become available to children in this age group?

"Things that parents should know: pharmacies do not administer shots in children less than 3 (years old)," Bosslet said. "So for a lot of our infants and young children, this is a shot that will be given at your doctor's office or through your health department.

"Please check the state health department website for updates as this all rolls-out. The rileychildrens.org website will have information as well...We're waiting on the final approvals to go through this week and for the vaccine to arrive in our offices. And then we will be able to post information, we're hoping by next week, that you'll be able to find information and scheduling on all of those websites."

Why is this young age range approved to receive vaccines now? What's changed?

"A lot of the work that the vaccine research was doing was looking at dosing," Bosslet said. "So clearly, the biggest need at the beginning of COVID was adult vaccination and protection, right? Because that's where we saw the most hospitalizations and deaths.

"And so, now they've had some time to look at the dosing for children and figure out what's the lowest dose that's safe to give that will provide protection. And so that took some time."

Does the reduced dose of vaccine still provide protection in children?

"The doses on Pfizer and Moderna are different," Bosslet said. "Both appear to provide good protection. So I want to encourage families (to know) that the best vaccine is the one you have access to. And then, if you have questions about which one to choose, please ask your doctor for more information."

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana COVID: What parents need to know about vaccines for children