Confidence in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness on children continues to grow in the medical community after it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Monday for children ages 12 through 15.
While the vaccine still needs approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee, which could come as soon as Wednesday, medical professionals are urging parents to vaccinate their children as soon as they can.
"We're very confident that these vaccines are safe and effective," said Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Mayo Clinic. "We're looking forward to the CDC approval to get this younger generation vaccinated."
Dr. Rajapakse told Adam Carter during The Morning News on WCCO Radio that the seriousness of COVID-19 in adolescents makes approving the vaccine a vital component to ending the pandemic.
"We have seen serious cases of COVID in this age group and we know kids in this age group can spread the infection nearly as well as adults," said Dr. Rajapakse.
Dr. Rajapakse addressed vaccine hesitancy that could deter many parents from letting this children get a vaccine in the coming days and weeks.
"It's great for families and parents to be asking questions to make sure they fully understand the vaccines. These teenagers probably have a lot of questions as well."
When it comes to whether or not adolescents with preexisting conditions should get the vaccine, Dr. Rajapakse said there's no indication that underlying health issues put anyone at greater risk when getting the vaccine.
"We have not seen in all of the adults that people with autoimmune disorders have any higher risk of having side effects related to the vaccine," she said. "Yes, we are recommending that children who have underlying health conditions be vaccinated."
Dr. Rajapakse added that it could be just a matter of time before the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines receive approval for emergency use in adolescents as well, with full approval to follow shortly thereafter.