Why kids hold the key to herd immunity

[2greys]

To win the battle against the pandemic, kids will be vital.

The fight against COVID-19 has long been focused on adults – particularly older adults. But kids are becoming a more prominent part of the conversation. We likely won’t see an end to the pandemic, experts say, until children can get vaccinated.

On Wednesday, Pfizer and its partner BioNTech announced the results of its coronavirus vaccine trial in adolescents 12 to 16 years old. It’s safe and effective in that age group, the company reported. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine currently is approved for emergency use by the FDA for ages 16 and up, and extending use to that younger age group will take a separate approval process. In March, both Pfizer and Moderna announced that they have begun trials of their respective COVID-19 vaccines in children under the age of 12 and as young as six months. Moderna also has a vaccine trial underway in adolescents.

“Children and adolescents will play a key role in ultimately closing that last part of the gap to help us emerge from this pandemic,” says Neil Maniar, associate chair of the Department of Health Sciences at Northeastern.

news.northeastern.edu/2021/...

[CDPO16]

I really hope that the vaccine roll out will continue on to include all age groups, not just in the western world but in a global way too. That, however, could take many years.

[Spacecat1]

Our daughter was supposed to come the weekend. She is a teacher in ey. And does a lateral flow test and so far staying. Negative.Today 4 members of staff 4 4 year old and 3 parents all tested positive. Happened a month th ago as well. She's all for the children having the vaccine to help keep our next generation safe. . But to keep me safe she wants several tests to ve negative . I really wish they would give the vaccine to key workers like teachers. I get so worried about her being at school.

[Alberta56 in reply to Spacecat1]

I can't understand why they won't give priority to teachers and school staff. Did some government minister have a bad experience at nursery school? It's unfair when we are being told that every one can now meet up outside that your family can't. Hope your daughter stays well.🤞🤞🤞

[Alberta56]

This would make total sense.