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With vaccine mandates being introduced in many parts of the world, people above the age of 18 years are being encouraged to get vaccinated by their family, friends, workplace and communities. Vaccines are being enforced to such an extent that the government of Pakistan has announced that those who do not get vaccinated will not be given their salaries. This goes on to emphasize the extent to which Covid-19 has spread and how the cases have been increasing in Pakistan. While many institutes like places of worship, markets, businesses and even restaurants are operating, schools remain closed. There is significant debate regarding this decision with people claiming that since children cannot get vaccinated it is safer to keep schools closed.

However, the main question that now arises is can children get the Covid vaccine. Very recently the US Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer vaccine which is also authorized for children above 12 years of age. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine authorized for children less than 12 years and it is still in the testing stage. Efficacy and safety testing of different vaccines for children between 2 years and 12 may lead to approval for younger children in the following months.

In the case of children above 12 years, the question is covid vaccine safe for kids arises. The experts at John Hopkins believe there are significant benefits of the vaccine for children. It has been established that the vaccine has the potential of preventing children from getting infected. Even though the symptoms of Covid-19 in children can sometimes be milder, the symptoms of the Delta variant have become strong and even lead to hospitalization with a severe lung infection and high fever and also cause death. Getting vaccinated can help reduce the risk of infection and also help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Moreover, the vaccine can also help in reducing the spread of the virus. Just like adults, children too can transmit the virus to others despite having no symptoms. Getting the vaccine can protect the children as well as others and reduce the risk of transmission especially to those that are more susceptible to the infection such as the elderly or those with auto-immune diseases. Getting the vaccination can also help in stopping other variants from emerging. Most importantly, getting your children vaccinated can make it easier for their life to get back on track especially with the re-opening of schools and other activities that they enjoy most. The past year has been extremely stressful on children the most with their physical and mental health being impacted.

With the covid-19 vaccine becoming the norm, another question that is commonly asked is when can children get Covid vaccine? Currently, children can only get the Pfizer vaccine since this is the only one to be approved by the FDA. However, this is also approved only for children above 12. Testing of Pfizer and other vaccines for those above 2 years is still in process and very soon vaccines for children will also be allowed. Getting the vaccine can help children go back to sports, other activities and schools. However, physical distancing, mask-wearing and taking other precautions will help ensure the safety of the children.