COVID-19 News and Updates
Hello all,
Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates. This week we discuss the third round of tests available from the U.S. government, the ACIP recommendation on boosters in the 5-11 age group, and the severity of COVID in unvaccinated children.
COVID Communication:
Third Round of COVID Tests Available from United States Government
U.S. households are now able to order an additional eight free at-home tests. The Biden Administration stated that this is due to the highly transmissible sub-variants of Omicron. The tests are available for order through COVIDtests.gov according to the press briefing and require a U.S. mailing address.
Links and sources: White House press briefing on COVID and at home tests
COVID in the News:
State of COVID-19 in Maine
The rates of community transmission and positivity rate both remain relatively high in many communities around the state. Masks are strongly recommended at this time as well as taking extra safety precautions to attempt to limit visits to the currently taxed emergency departments.
The CDC Director has signed off on the 5-11 age group for booster shots, meaning everyone aged 5 and up who has received their initial series may now book booster appointments.
For further information, I am including this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics: When Can Kids Get the COVID Booster?
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made the official recommendation for a booster shot for the 5-11 age group following their meeting on May 19th. Data presented at the meeting clearly illustrated both the impact of COVID-19 on children (elaborated on in next section) and the strong safety profile of the vaccine.
Thus far:
· 18,182,496 doses have been administered to 5-11 year old’s
· Most common side effects are mild: injection site pain, fatigue, headache, fever, myalgia
· Of the over 18 million doses, only 20 cases of myocarditis were reported (a lower rate than the adolescent group). Risk of myocarditis from infection is between 2x-6x higher than from the vaccine and is much more severe.
· The risk of anaphylaxis is 3.8 in 1 million doses administered.
As it stands the data suggests that the COVID vaccine is likely to become a three-dose primary series rather than a two-dose series, further promoting the need for a booster shot. Lastly, ACIP commented that Omicron specific boosters are not likely to be available to this age group this fall, so it does not make sense to delay. The CDC director still needs to officially sign off before parents will be able to book appointments for booster doses, but that is expected to happen hopefully within the next few days.
Severity of COVID-19 in 5-11 age group
In the above-mentioned meeting, ACIP presented data on the need for a booster shot in the younger age group. The data shows the impact of COVID-19 on children and further highlights that children do in fact get sick and can die or face serious complications from infection.
· Rates of death are higher for COVI-19 than they were for some other preventable illnesses prior to vaccines
· Unvaccinated 5-11 year old’s have a 1.3x higher incidence rate compared to vaccinated children
· Unvaccinated children are 2x more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than vaccinated children
· 87% of children hospitalized from COVID were unvaccinated, 1/3 of which had no underlying medical conditions
· COVID-19 is tied for the 10th leading cause of death in children ages 5-11
· Long COVID can occur in kids, current estimates at about 7-8% of cases
Links and Sources: Full report on this meeting by Dr. Elizabeth Marnik here
Featured in the Field:
Maine Families for Vaccines
Maine Families for Vaccines is a volunteer-led network that educates voters about public health, advocates for evidence-based public policy, and promotes immunization for healthier kids and communities.
You can find them at their website, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks again everyone for checking in this week. Stay safe, and remember to take care of each other. ~ Nina
Nina Duggan is Healthy Acadia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Project Coordinator. They share weekly updates about COVID-19 in the state of Maine and beyond, along with resources you may find useful on testing, vaccination, and best practices in preventative measures.
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If you or anyone you know have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the available vaccines please call or text our COVID-19 Peer Support Line at 207-271-6023, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.