Baby Vaccination 101: COVID-19 Vaccine

This illness needs no introduction. COVID-19 is a relatively new infectious disease first discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, China. It was the cause of the worldwide pandemic between 2020 to present which claimed many lives. Many adults have received the vaccine, but should you sign your kids up for the immunisation program as well? Here are the facts. COVID-19 Vaccine There are various COVID-19 vaccines currently available since the outbreak. However, only four of which are currently approved for use in Malaysia: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Cansino. COVID-19 vaccination for children did not officially begin until February 2022. Even then, these are only available for those between the ages of 5 and 12. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved Pfizer for babies no younger than 6 months old for 'emergency situations' such as if they are at higher risk (asthma). However, as of 2022, the Ministry of Health Malaysia has yet to approved the use of any COVID-19 vaccine for children below 5 years of age. If your kids are eligible for the vaccine, 2 doses are usually required, taken 8 weeks apart. Booster doses are optional. So far, the Malaysian government has only approved the Pfizer vaccine for children 5 years and up. COVID-19 The Sars-CoV-2 virus is an aggressive pathogen that attacks the upper respiratory system. It was what started the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. The symptoms usually start with coughing, followed by fever, difficulty breathing. For at-risk groups (diabetic, asthmatic, obese, immunocompromised, etc), getting infected could mean certain death. COVID-19 is one of the most resilient viruses ever discovered, producing a total of five variants within the span of two years. According to the World Health Organization, these variants are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. The Omicron variant is thus far the most aggressive. There are currently 5 Omicron subvariants in the world with the BA.5 Omicron subvariant currently still in circulation in Malaysia. The New Straits Times reports that the COVID-19 has claimed more adults than children, with only 39 deaths reported in victims aged 5 to 11 years old since the start of the pandemic in 2020. However, the infection rate among children is still pretty high as a result of stronger and more infectious strains like the Omicron subvariants. Protect the Children COVID-19 is still at large, even as the numbers continue to fluctuate. You may not be able to vaccinate your newborn yet against COVID-19 but there's been some studies that show babies are surprisingly resilient against this virus. This may be in part due to the immune-boosting powers of breastmilk, especially if the mother (or breastmilk donor) has been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, this immunity does not last. So as soon as they're old enough for their COVID-19 jab, don't hesitate to get it for them. It will protect them for many years to come. Sources Auto, H. (2022, March 8). Malaysia: A total of 39 children aged 5-11 have died from covid-19 to date. The Straits Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-a-total-of-39-children-aged-5-11-have-died-from-covid-19-to-date Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Stay up to date with covid-19 vaccines including boosters. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html CodeBlue. (2022, July 13). Moh not approving covid-19 vaccines for kids under five yet. CodeBlue. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2022/07/08/moh-not-approving-covid-19-vaccines-for-kids-under-five-yet/ ScienceDaily. (2021, December 10). Infant immune systems are stronger than you think, research shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211210140720.htm World Health Organization. (n.d.). Tracking sars-COV-2 variants. World Health Organization. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/ Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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