AAP, CDC recommend COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 and older
Melissa Jenco, AAC News Content Editor
May 12, 2021
The AAP recommends adolescents ages 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 now that federal health officials have signed off on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for these ages.
In addition to approving the vaccine’s use for adolescents on Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its clinical guidance to allow COVID-19 vaccines to be administered at the same time as other routine vaccines. The AAP supported both moves in a new policy statement.
“This is truly an exciting development that allows us to protect a large population of children and help them regain their lives after a really rough year,” AAP President Lee Savio Beers, M.D., FAAP, said in a press release. “As a pediatrician and a parent, I have looked forward to getting my own children and patients vaccinated, and I am thrilled that those ages 12 and older can now be protected. The data continue to show that this vaccine is safe and effective. I urge all parents to call their pediatrician to learn more about how to get their children and teens vaccinated.”
The CDC director’s approval followed a 14-0 vote in favor by the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Wednesday and comes two days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine down to age 12 from the previous age of 16. The CDC is expected to publish its official recommendations this week.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday promised fast roll-out of the vaccines for adolescents at pediatrician and family physician offices in addition to pharmacies. Some jurisdictions already have announced adolescent vaccination will begin Thursday.
“The vaccine for kids between the ages of 12 and 15 are safe, effective, easy, fast and free,” Biden said. “So my hope is parents will take advantage of the vaccine and get their kids vaccinated.”
Since the pandemic began, more than 1.5 million adolescents ages 12-17 years have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and more than 13,000 have been hospitalized, according to CDC data. The pandemic also has taken a toll on children’s mental and emotional health, social well-being and their educational experience.
Safety
Pfizer and CDC officials reviewed data on safety and efficacy of the vaccine during Wednesday’s ACIP meeting. Pfizer and BioNTech conducted trials in more than 2,000 adolescents ages 12-15 with half randomized to receive the vaccine and half to receive a placebo.
The most common side effects in adolescents were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain, consistent with trials in older teens and adults.
About 6% of vaccine recipients experienced an adverse event, including seven cases of swollen lymph nodes. There were five serious adverse events in the vaccine group (0.4%) including one person with abdominal pain, constipation and neuralgia and others with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. None of the serious events were determined to be related to the vaccine and no deaths were reported. There also were no reports of blood clots, serious allergic reactions or Bell’s palsy.