As authorization for children over 12 to get vaccinated against the coronavirus nears, health officials urge families to consider getting the vaccine, and for currently eligible 16 and 17-year-olds who are eligible to get vaccinated now.
Dr. Gretchen LaSalle, a family physician with Multi-Care said during a Health District briefing Wednesday, that children usually have milder cases of COVID, but that can still lead to long-term impacts.
“Even though they tend to suffer less severe consequences than adults do when they have COVID infection, they still can suffer very severe consequences, not only health wise, it takes them out of school, it sets them back educationally potentially. There’s both that sort of health, and social, emotional academic piece.”
She also noted that children, even though with mild cases, can also have COVID-19 long-hauler symptoms, where exhaustion, and other issues continue long after an infection.
Spokane Regional Interim Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velazquez said the health district is working with local schools to prepare for when Pfizer will be authorized for younger children, to try and get as many people vaccinated as possible.
Public Schools will have vaccination clinics open for 16 and 17 year olds next week, which could expand to younger children once Pfizer is authorized for them.
