Health commissioner Mark Levine said Tuesday that children under the age of five in Vermont could be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as early as this fall.
The Commissioner said the Food and Drug Administration will meet with vaccine makers (mainly Pfizer and Moderna) to monitor vaccine tests for the youngest children in the coming months. In addition, they are considering vaccines for future strains and boosters, he said. The Vermont Health Department is also closely watching the work.
Levine said parents of children under the age of five need to be aware of the June news in this regard.
“We will provide information when it becomes available, but keep in mind that parents and caregivers should plan to contact a pediatrician or family practitioner to vaccinate their child when the time comes. “He said.
This age group is the last age group to be targeted for the prophylactic COVID vaccine. Parents of these children expressed concern that their children would be exposed to and susceptible to the virus when all other children had access to potentially life-saving vaccines and boosters. I am.
Andrea Garcia, director of science, medicine and public health at the American Medical Association, recently said of vaccines under the age of five: So this was certainly an area of concern and frustration for parents about the delays seen in vaccination of this population. “
She told her organization that there are about 18 million children under the age of five in the United States.
Moderna has asked the FDA to approve a COVID vaccine for children under the age of six. This is the first manufacturer. Pfizer is also compiling an FDA application. The {span} FDA then reviews the data submitted to determine if the vaccine is safe and effective and if emergency use should be granted. {/span}
Levine said that COVID-19 “is still with us. Like many other viruses, it’s the virus we have to stay alive.” He is the latest variant of BA2. He said 12.1 now accounts for about 30% of New England cases and more than 60% in northern New York.
“This new variant needs additional research to find out if and how it can change the understanding of the virus,” he said. According to Levine, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that vaccination and at least one boost will provide protection against new variants.
He said cases of COVID increased by 4% this week, with four more deaths reported on Tuesday, reaching a total of 648. Hospitalization has also increased slightly.
In other health news, Levine said Tuesday was the first national fentanyl awareness day. He noted that 93% of all opioid deaths last year were associated with fentanyl, adding that deadly synthetic drugs are currently mixed with non-heroin drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine.
“So help share this message widely: if you or anyone you know is using opioids, cocaine, stimulants or other potentially dangerous powders or pills, the fentanyl test strip And learn where you can find Narkan. Both are widely available in the state and can save lives. “
For more information, please visit: vthelplink.org Also knowodvt.com..
“Help and support … you can get it when and where you need it,” says Levine.
