Local pediatrician sheds light on importance of talking to children about vaccines | News

PADUCAH– As a parent you want the best for your child.

You may be having more conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine now that the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is expected to be approved soon.

As you weigh the pros and cons, doctors want to remind you that they’re here to help.

A Pfizer vaccine for adults.

Baptist Health Paducah Pediatrician Dr. David Schell said parents should continue to put their children’s health first.

“They have to decide whether their child’s chance of getting COVID is less than the risk of the vaccine, and so that’s the problem they face,” Schell said.

“So far the vaccine has been extremely safe and there is no reason to adopt this vaccine for children. It will be just as safe.”

The CDC has released an infographic explanation of “The journey of your child’s vaccine”. It outlines the childhood vaccine approval process and gives a better understanding of how everything works.

dr. Schell said the COVID vaccine for ages 5 to 11 will be about one-third the dose of what adults receive.

A waiting room in the Baptist Health Paducah Pediatrician’s Office.

Governor Beshear mentioned another difference.

“Remember, Dr. Stack walked us through it. It’s another packaged vaccine. It has to,” Beshear said at a “Team Kentucky” briefing.

“They can’t simply do a smaller amount of the adult version. It’s even packaged in a different color.”

Schell encourages parents to research trusted sources, talk to doctors, and answer their child’s questions.

An infographic from CDC.

dr. Schell said he cares about his patients and doesn’t want myths to get in the way of their safety.

“Some of the misconceptions are that people think there is a problem with the vaccine because it took a long time to get it out, to spread it.

“That’s not the case at all. They just feel like they need to do a more extensive study with kids to make sure it’s safe and effective.”

The vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is expected to be approved in the coming weeks.

To learn more about how to talk to your kids about shots, visit the CDC’s website.