The Safety Work Group has discovered that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are safe and effective for children – Lake County Record-Bee.

The Sacramento-Western State Scientific Safety Review Workgroup completed a review of the federal process over the weekend and unanimously concluded that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are safe and effective for 6-month-old children, according to state officials. I attached it. The workgroup provided confirmation to the Governor of California, Governor of Nevada, Governor of Oregon, and Governor of Washington.

Moderna’s two-dose vaccine series and Pfizer’s three-dose vaccine series are now available for 6-month-old children. On Friday, June 17, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the vaccine in 6-month-old children, and the CDC confirmed the decision on Saturday. The workgroup reviewed federal decisions on Saturday and confirmed them the next day.

The workgroup thoroughly reviewed the vaccine safety and efficacy data. The workgroup found that completing one of the vaccine series yielded antibody levels similar to those achieved in individuals aged 16 to 25 years. The vaccine responses observed in 6-12 month old babies and 1-5 year old children were consistent with the responses to other vaccines routinely recommended for these age groups.

The workgroup concluded that the benefits of completing one of the vaccine series significantly outweigh the known or possible risks. Immunization can be expected to reduce the number of serious illnesses, hospitalizations and infant mortality associated with COVID-19 and promote participation in regular education, social and recreational activities.

Washington, Oregon, and Nevada joined the COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup in California in October 2020. The workgroup, consisting of nationally acclaimed scientists with immunological and public health expertise, simultaneously independently reviewed FDA behavior related to COVID-19. vaccination. Other COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be evaluated as they go through the federal process.

“Vaccines are safe, effective and widely available. Parents are strongly encouraged to protect their children from COVID-19 with these vaccines. In California, nearly 400,000 can be administered at over 8,500 vaccine sites. I have pre-ordered the vaccine for the state, “said California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Many families have been waiting for the opportunity to vaccinate their youngest child. I’m glad that day has come. Families can be reassured by the thorough review process that these vaccines have passed, but I I encourage families to talk to trusted healthcare providers about the questions they have, “said Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada. He added that the vaccine protects against serious illness. “Thanks to all who continued to join the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to review the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and guidance.”

“This is a long-awaited moment for many families,” said Oregon Governor Kate Brown. “Today’s review by leading physicians, pediatricians, and health professionals gives parents and children in Oregon confidence in the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for 6-month-old children. You can have. It’s perfectly normal for parents and children to ask about vaccines-it’s a good idea to contact your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist to get your question answered today. . “

“This is great news for the Washington family and we know many parents who are eagerly awaiting their youngest child to be vaccinated,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee. “I encourage parents to contact a trusted provider to discuss their questions and concerns. These vaccines are an ongoing effort to keep people safe from serious COVID infections and hospitalizations. Is still the most important tool in. “

This announcement was the result of a study reported by the Center for Infectious Diseases Research Policy showing that concerns about the Covid vaccine are negatively impacting adult influenza vaccination efforts. According to another study, Covid attacks children under the age of 5 more than the flu.

According to the report highlighted by CIDRAP Research on JAMA network Comparing COVID-19 with influenza in children under the age of 5, the new coronavirus doubles the rate of hospitalization in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and increases the inoculation rate during the first 15 months of the pandemic. It turned out to be one-third higher. ..

This study included SARS-CoV-2 infection or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in 1,561 US children with influenza from April 2018 to March 2020 and children from April 2020 to June 2021. Included 1,959 children (MIS-C). .. Data are from 51 US PICUs and all patients were under 6 years of age.

Pediatric researchers at institutions across the country found that COVID-19 hospitalizations per quarter were twice as high as influenza (392 vs. 195). The rate of intratracheal intubation was 33% higher in COVID with a median of 49 to 36.9 instances. quarter. Although the mortality rates of the two groups were similar, the hospitalization and stay in the PICU of children with COVID-19 were significantly longer.

The researchers noted that comorbidity did not substantially change clinical outcomes in either group.

The authors conclude that: These measures were sufficient to significantly reduce serious illnesses caused by many respiratory viruses, including nearly eliminating influenza hospitalizations in these PICUs.

“Without these measures for this mostly unvaccinated population, SARS-CoV-2 will have many times more severely ill children and more than seen in pre-pandemic influenza. It would have brought death. “

—KaiserHealthNews staff contributed to this report.