The coronavirus pandemic has changed countless lives and made us all quite scared. The horrors of deaths and the isolation-related stress have impacted billions of lives worldwide. In such a scenario, one hope seems to be the COVID-19 vaccine. Some people are getting the jab as soon as possible, while others are reluctant about it. Parents of kids and teens are worried about whether their children should get a jab or not. If you are also a parent who is pondering the option of getting a COVID-19 vaccine for your young or older teen, then read on. Here we have mentioned all the important things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for teenagers.
Impact on Children
The risk of COVID-19 in children and younger teens is low, but it isn’t zero. They can become very ill or lose their lives only in rare cases. So, parents who have normal kids or teens shouldn’t rush the process.
The Unknowns
A factor stopping parents from pushing their children or teens to get a jab is the fear of the unknown. People who have had mRNA vaccines have had instances of risk of developing myocarditis. It is an inflammation of the heart, and it is more common in younger boys than in any other group. It can cause a pounding heart or chest pain, but these symptoms don’t usually last for long and usually disappear on their own.
The Risk is Bigger
Though no vaccine is 100% safe, the COVID-19 vaccines are pretty effective. They help reduce the risk of you getting infected from COVID-19 considerably and can help you to avoid the bigger risk. What’s that? According to a study, getting infected from COVID-19 might be six times more likely to trigger myocarditis in young men than administering the vaccine. The rate is about 450 per million infections.
Unfortunately, the long term effects of myocarditis a person might get after the COVID-19 vaccination are not known.
The US has vaccinated over ten million people over the age of twelve and has concluded that the benefits of protecting against COVID-19 and its complications far outweigh the slight possibility of an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. Other countries like Spain, Canada, Italy, France, and Israel are vaccinating people over twelve for the same reason.
The Advice by CDC
Though fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 as compared to adults, children and young teens also pose a threat as they can spread COVID-19 to others. The CDC has recommended people over 12 years, and older get a COVID-19 jab and help protect the virus. Widespread vaccination is a key tool that will help stop the pandemic.
Vaccination will give more freedom to teens and children as they can do a lot more activities when they have been fully vaccinated. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is available for people who are 12 years or older.
How to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Near You?
If you want to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, you should check out the website of your local pharmacy to know if they are accepting vaccination walk-ins or appointments for the COVID-19 vaccination. For more information, contact your local or state health department.
You can also find a COVID-19 vaccine by searching for it at www.vaccines.gov, or you can text your area’s ZIP CODE to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find the most suitable locations near you.
COVID-19 Vaccines are Safe and Effective
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and have been used under intensive safety monitoring in US history. The studies have shown the effects for adults and adolescents. Teenagers will get the same Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 as adults in the US.
There are no weight requirements for getting a COVID-19 vaccination, as the vaccine’s effectiveness doesn’t depend on the weight of a person.
How to Help Your Teen be Prepared for COVID-19 Vaccination?
- Share information about the COVID-19 vaccine and its effectiveness with your teen.
- Make sure they know why it’s important to get vaccinated.
- Answer all their questions and help them manage any fears.
- If your teen wants, you can stay with them during the vaccination.
- Make sure your teen stays seated or lies down for 15 minutes after the vaccination has been given.
- Talk to the doctor or nurse about any allergies your teen might have before the vaccination.
- Keep an eye out for possible side effects after the vaccination.
Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination
Some of the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination that your teen can develop are mentioned below. Please note that these side effects are usually normal and signify that their bodies are building protection against the virus.
- Pain in the arm where the vaccine was administered
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Redness in the area where the vaccine was administered
- Chills
- Muscle Pain
- Swelling in the area where the vaccine was administered
- Nausea
These side effects will go away on their own in most cases. If they don’t go away in a few days, feel free to consult with a doctor.
Some people might need a non-aspirin pain reliever to combat the side effects. A few home remedies can also be trusted.
Do not take pain relievers before the vaccination to ease the potential pain.
If your teen doesn’t get any side effects, don’t worry.
Consider the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Your Teen
Vaccination helps protect your teens’ bodies from the COVID-19 virus, but there is no straightforward solution for the psychological impact of COVID-19 on your teen. To get help with that and any teenage issues, consider taking the help of an expert.
Get Help
You can trust me, Michelle Mehta, a certified professional Co-Active Coach, an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner.
I am passionate about helping teenagers feel authentic, empowered, worthy, loved, and help them create a sense of belonging and believe that the world needs their talents. So, if you feel you’re curious about having your teenager work with me, let’s set up a time to talk and connect. I look forward to Empowering Your Teenager to Shine with Confidence. To know more, click here
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58423152
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html
