Why Kids Can t Get The COVID-19 Vaccine Yet. Here s Who Else May Have To Wait

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So far, most adverse responses to the coronavirus vaccine have been allergic reactions that were treated immediately by medical professionals.

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Now that doses of Moderna's are getting dispensed alongside Pfizer's vaccine, the first wave of vaccinations against coronavirus are fully underway. For the vast majority of folks, the  has been  in large-scale, months-long clinical trials. The . But just like with any new drug, medical professionals encourage caution when taking coronavirus vaccines, especially for people who have had adverse reactions to any vaccination in the past. 
For example, one of the safety precautions that's becoming standard with the  involves remaining on-site for a period of time after getting the injection to give medical professionals time to monitor for any adverse reactions. That doesn't mean doctors expect anything bad to happen. Out of over to get vaccinated so far in the US, only a have had .

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But what about children, people with known allergies and pregnant or nursing mothers? Here, we compile available data from the FDA and CDC, along with information from leading health experts, to present a guide on who is advised to take the  and who should contact a medical professional first. 

If you have a history of allergies, you may be asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes after you've been given the vaccine so medical staff can observe you.

Sarah Tew/CNET
When will there be a COVID-19 vaccine for kids?
Right now, Pfizer's vaccine is authorized for use in people . (Moderna's is designated for 18 and older). That's because, of the several dozen COVID-19 vaccines under development including Pfizer's and Moderna's,  who are . That's expected. Vaccines are typically tested first in adults before researchers begin , once the drug has been found to be relatively safe. 

Another factor is that COVID-19 seems to mostly spare children from the worst outcomes. A counted only 121 children among the 190,000 people who had died so far in the US from coronavirus. has found that children catch and spread coronavirus about , though they are still considered vectors in the spread of COVID-19, especially among high-risk populations. For example, a this summer highlighted a Georgia summer camp where coronavirus ran rampant, resulting in over 250 kids and young adults testing positive for COVID-19.

Moderna  soon with kids aged 12 through 17, the company announced in early December. That's a good sign.  

Moderna has announced it will be the first coronavirus vaccine maker to test its vaccine on children aged 12 through 17.

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Can people with allergies get the COVID-19 vaccine?
In the UK, on the first day of administering the Pfizer vaccine, doctors observed two patients who experienced . Now, British doctors are being told to  following administration of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the US, six severe allergic reactions occurred in the roughly 272,000 vaccines given before Dec. 19, . (There are now .) 

The FDA says that complications are rare and that some people might have an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccines, like anaphylaxis or tissue swelling, from both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. Some scientists are investigating if the cause is an ingredient in the vaccine -- but not the COVID-19 mRNA itself -- that could be triggering some reactions,  on Dec. 25.




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"CDC recommends that people with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications -- such as allergies to food, pet, venom, environmental, or latex -- may still get vaccinated," the agency states one of its .     

The FDA has published a  and a on the Moderna one. Both publications caution: "A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose..." Both sheets then list several signs and symptoms of such an allergic reaction:
Difficulty breathing
Swelling of the face and throat
A fast heartbeat
A full-body rash 
Dizziness and weakness

If you have a history of allergies, you can expect to be monitored for 15 to 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine.

If you're allergic to any of the ingredients in Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, the FDA advises you not to take it.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The FDA also recommends you should not take the Pfizer vaccine if you've ever had a severe reaction to any of these ingredients:
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
Lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol)
Potassium chloride
Monobasic potassium phosphate
Sodium chloride
Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
Sucrose

The FDA similarly recommends avoiding Moderna's vaccine if you're allergic to any of its ingredients:
mRNA
Lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC])
Tromethamine
Tromethamine hydrochloride
Acetic acid
Sodium acetate
Sucrose

You might still be able to get a vaccine even if you've experienced allergic reactions to vaccinations in the past. In its most up-to-date guidance, the CDC echoes the FDA by indicating that just because you've had a severe allergic reaction to having been vaccinated in the past shouldn't automatically stop you from being vaccinated against COVID-19. 

"These persons may still receive vaccination, but they should be counseled about the unknown risks of developing a severe allergic reaction and balance these risks against the benefits of vaccination," the . 

Until most people in the US have been vaccinated, you can expect everyone to continue social distancing, avoiding crowds and http://enigma.s11.xrea.com/cgi-bin/variable/variable.cgi wearing masks in public.

Sarah Tew/CNET
Is the vaccine safe if you're pregnant or nursing?
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA leaves the decision over whether to take either of the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines . Regulators in the UK have so far  until the vaccines can be tested on pregnant and nursing women. (There have been no clinical trials for this group so far.) Even though coronavirus vaccines have yet to be studied in nursing and pregnant women, many scientists believe they're generally safe and that the .
If I can't take a vaccine, how will I be protected against COVID-19?
If you're a patient with a health condition who is advised against getting a COVID-19 vaccine by your physician, you may have to wait until enough people have been vaccinated in the US to be protected yourself. Even if you yourself don't take a vaccine, being surrounded by enough vaccinated people -- what's known as "" -- can provide a measure of protection against the coronavirus. But that will take time. It may require as much as becoming immune to the disease before those who are still susceptible might be considered safe.

To usher that process along, the best thing you can do for now is to follow the CDC's safety guidelines: wear a mask (except in your own home), , and maintain at least six feet of distance from people you don't live with. 

It's going to take time before life returns to normal. To get a sense of how long, take a look at this timeline of when different groups will be able to . There will likely be several coronavirus vaccines rolling out over the next several months, and  will also help determine when you get to take it. Finally,  where you can get the vaccine.













The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.