Dr. Jill Olson and Dr. Johnna Nynas say their young children were vaccinated against COVID-19 almost immediately after Sanford Bemidji began accepting appointments for children 5-11 to receive their first dose.
The health professionals said Pfizer’s pediatric dose is about a third of the size of the adult doses and said that because of children’s strong immune systems, clinical studies showed they don’t need as much of the vaccine ingredients to receive the same amount of benefit as adults with adult doses.
Drs. Nynas and Olson say the vaccine is safe and effective for children, as it is for adults, and provides an extra layer of protection against the COVID-19 virus.
The vaccine is more effective at preventing infection of COVID-19 than relying on natural immunity, which Dr. Nynas says fades over time with the increasing incidence of COVID re-infections.
As of yesterday afternoon, the two doctors reported that 30 percent of new cases locally were among adolescents and children.
Vaccine appointments can be made online through MySanford Chart, or by calling 877-701-0779.
For the full interview with Drs. Olson and Nynas, listen below.
