I understand why vaccines are not rushed out to the public before a series of careful processes. I understand caution. I understand due diligence. I understand that there are wise reasons for these processes that are in place. Shortly after I published this diary, Rachel Gutman at The Atlantic published a helpful piece describing the problem and its complex factors: “Why Is It Taking So Long to Get Vaccines for Kids?”
But this is an unfolding national emergency, with in-classroom school starting all over America. School has begun *now* in many states, including some of the worst-impacted Covid areas (Florida, etc). School starts everywhere else in just a few weeks. And our nation’s children are in danger. (For a thorough summary of the Delta Covid danger that our children face today, Mark Sumner just put up a good front page diary on it.)
The Pfizer vaccine has now been administered to probably around 10 million American teens ages 12 to 18. Statistically, the rate of adverse vaccine reaction or problematic* side effects is very close to zero. (*problematic meaning not just feeling tired or kind-of-flu-sickened or a sore arm for a couple of days)
Further, the under-age-12 subject trials for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are well under way right now. Here’s a good story about a 9 and 4 year old pair of New Jersey brothers in the ongoing Pfizer trial. They, and all subjects so far, are doing fine. No new hazards whatsoever are being found as the age range drops as low as 4. Yet, as the article mentions, the standard processes and timetable would mean that, hopefully, the vaccine is approved for all children this age until “midwinter.” For the Delta pandemic now sweeping the nation weeks before in-school classroom learning begins again — No, No, NO. “Midwinter” is a tragic four months too late. In some regions, by January 2022, when the vaccine is finally available, there may not be many children left with no Covid antibodies they unfortunately got the hard way. Some of these children will have lingering bodily damage. A few of these children will be dead.
This is a national tragedy. It is unfolding now, in real time.
I understand “Approval” is a strong word. An important word. Even “Emergency Approval.” Maybe what is needed here is something that falls short of Approval. A phrase more akin to “Emergency Authorization” or “Emergency Permission.” Giving parents the best-known information, and giving parents the option to choose vaccination now for their children, rather than wait until midwinter.
Has the moment arrived when the CDC and the Biden Administration should take a long look at the disturbing pediatric Covid situation happening and getting worse on the ground, a long look at what it’ll mean for schools and classrooms to reopen in the midst of all this, and a long look at the growing and strong evidence that children ages 4 to 12 are handling the vaccinations just as well as everybody else has — and just press GO? Is it time to expedite parental access to full vaccination for our nation’s kids, now — for those who would choose it — and get it in motion this week?
I deeply believe the moment has come.