Vaccines | Mount Sinai Today

Why You Should Get a COVID-19 Booster Shot for Your Child Age 5 to 11

May 24, 2022 | Featured, Vaccines, Your Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended that children ages 5 through 11 receive a COVID-19 booster shot five months after completing the vaccine series.

In this Q&A, Kristin Oliver, MD, MHS, a pediatrician and preventive medicine physician at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains the benefits of the booster shot and urges parents to talk with their child’s health care provider if they have questions.

“We know information about COVID-19 and vaccination is constantly evolving,” says Dr. Oliver, who is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Environmental Medicine and Public Health, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions. We are happy to talk with you.”

What are the benefits of getting a COVID-19 booster shot?

While two doses of COVID-19 vaccine continue to give good protection to children against severe disease and hospitalization from COVID-19, protection from infection decreases at around five months after completing the series. A booster dose may increase protection against infection, emergency department and urgent care visits, and severe disease.

What side effects can we expect?

Side effects after a booster dose are similar to side effects after the second dose, with pain at the injection site most common, followed by tiredness and headache.

Is there any data on how effective the booster shot is?

In the study of 5- to 11-year-olds, the booster dose increased levels of antibodies to COVID-19 to higher than they were after the first two doses. While there is not enough data from that study yet to see the effectiveness against infection in this age group, there is good data that a booster dose in older age groups provides increased protection against infection and severe disease. We expect to see this same increase in protection for children ages 5 to 11.

If my child had COVID-19, do they still need to get a booster?

A recent COVID-19 infection does provide some protection in the short term, but that protection also decreases over time. Depending on your child’s risk factors and potential exposures, for children with a recent COVID-19 infection you may want to consider waiting three months before getting a booster dose. Waiting this amount of time may result in a better antibody response. You can speak with your child’s doctor about this choice.

Is there anything else parents should know about the booster shot and staying safe from COVID-19?

The most important thing you can do is get the first two doses of the vaccine if you haven’t yet. Hospitalization with COVID-19 is twice as high for children who are unvaccinated compared to children who received two doses of the vaccine, even during the recent Omicron surge.

Mount Sinai Experts Explain What the Omicron Variant Means for You

Nov 29, 2021 | COVID-19, Featured, Vaccines, Your Health

Until very recently, you probably never heard of the term omicron. If you did, it was as a letter in the Greek alphabet, like delta or pi. Now, Omicron dominates the news as the latest coronavirus variant that was first discovered in Southern Africa and is now being found around the world, including in the United States.

Although data on the Omicron variant is incomplete, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge, note two of Mount Sinai’s leading experts in infectious diseases Judith A. Aberg, MD, Dean of System Operations for Clinical Sciences and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, and Bernard Camins, MD, Medical Director for Infection Prevention.

New Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines: In April 2023, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced some major changes for COVID-19 vaccines. Click here to read more about what you need to know.

What do we know about the Omicron variant?

According to Drs. Aberg and Camins, the limited evidence we have suggests that while Omicron is more transmissible than earlier variants, it causes mainly mild disease—especially in people who are fully vaccinated and who have received their booster dose. Additionally, it appears to produce symptoms in line with those expected of COVID-19. This includes fatigue and headache as well as sore throat, runny nose, coughing, and fever. If you feel any of these symptoms, please get tested.

It will take more time for researchers and clinicians to fully assess how effective existing COVID-19 vaccines are against the Omicron variant. But if you have not yet been vaccinated, or are eligible and have not yet received a booster shot, you should do so as soon as possible. Vaccine makers are assessing the need to reformulate their vaccines against the new variant, but that may take months; Drs. Aberg and Camins say it is better to get some additional protection now rather than waiting for the potential for better protection later.

How do we protect ourselves against a more transmissible variant?

Drs. Aberg and Camins say that it is more important than ever to follow current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for avoiding infection, such as wearing masks in public indoor settings, staying home if you feel sick, getting vaccinated, and getting your booster shot when you are eligible. This is especially important as we enter the holiday season and as rates of infection rise in the New York metropolitan region and around the country, although there is no evidence that Omicron is the cause.

In addition, Drs. Aberg and Camins say you should be vigilant about following the CDC’s detailed guidelines on gathering for the holidays, which emphasize keeping your gatherings small and outdoors if possible. For traveling, the CDC says you should avoid travel if you have been exposed to COVID-19 unless you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. You should avoid international travel until you are fully vaccinated. Some international travel is already being curtailed because of the new variant.

What else should be taken into consideration as this global pandemic continues?

Viruses constantly change through mutation.

These variants do not necessarily present a significant new risk. Last summer, the Delta variant was found to be more easily transmitted, but people who were vaccinated did not face a significantly increased risk of serious illness or hospitalization. Many other variants were initially thought important enough to be assigned a Greek-letter name but later turned out not to have a widespread or significant effect.

Scientists and researchers are hard at work to fully assess this variant.

Currently, scientists are working in labs to assess how effective the existing COVID-19 vaccines are against Omicron. The testing involves taking blood samples from those who have been fully vaccinated and seeing if their antibodies neutralize the new variant. Results are expected in a few weeks. Additionally, Mount Sinai researchers are continually analyzing the positive SARS-CoV-2 samples for variants, including Omicron, to see if these variants are circulating among the local population.

We are keeping an eye on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody treatments.

One of the main concerns with the Omicron variant is that the number and type of mutations it contains may make some monoclonal antibody treatments less effective. Monoclonal antibody treatments are given to non-hospitalized people diagnosed with COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing more severe symptoms. Scientists are working to learn which treatments will be most effective against Omicron.

Get more information about COVID-19 vaccines

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available for All Adults

Nov 23, 2021 | COVID-19, Featured, Vaccines, Your Health

In another step to strengthen the public health defense against the COVID-19 pandemic, federal regulators have authorized “booster” shots for all adults.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a booster dose for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending booster shots for all adults over age 16. Health experts are encouraging all those eligible to consider getting the booster shot.

“The most important thing is to get vaccinated, and get a booster shot” if you over 16, says Waleed Javaid, MD, Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an expert on infectious diseases. “We at Mount Sinai are closely monitoring reports on various variants including Omicron and Delta. At this time, we encourage everyone to get vaccines and boosters, and continue to wear masks in public and follow guidance provided by the public health officials.”

Update: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has strengthened its recommendation on booster shots to include everyone 16 or older when they are eligible. The CDC is working to learn more about the new Omicron variant. The CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas where there are high rates of COVID-19, and getting vaccinated and booster shots for those who are eligible. Read more from the CDC

Waleed Javaid, MD

In this Q&A, Dr. Javaid answers other frequently asked questions about COVID-19 booster shots.

When should I get a booster shot?

If you were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine, you should get the booster at least six months after getting the two vaccine doses. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you should get the booster at least two months after completing the primary vaccination.

What do we know about side effects from the booster shot?

I received my booster, and I had pretty much the same reaction as my second dose. Most of those around me also experienced very similar reactions as their second dose. The short-term side effects include pain in the arm where you got your shot, tiredness, and headache. There is nothing in the literature or in our experience at Mount Sinai to suggest the reaction will be any different from the first and second doses.

Does it matter which booster shot I get?

The most recent recommendation from the FDA and the CDC is that we can use these vaccines interchangeably, and they have not found one is better than the other. Right now, they are considered equal.

What if I got the J&J vaccine?

People who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can get a booster using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or they can get a Pfizer or Moderna dose as a booster. However, as of Thursday, December 16, the CDC recommends that patients receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine due to the increased effectiveness of mRNA vaccines.

What is the difference between a booster shot and a third dose?

A third shot is considered part of the original series and is considered necessary to provide full protection to a group of people who have reduced ability to fight infections, which includes patients being treated for some cancers or those with an organ transplant. Boosters are shots that have now been authorized for all adults after a certain time period has passed since they were fully vaccinated in order to boost their immune system to ensure they can continue to fight the infection. Right now, a booster shot is not required to be considered fully vaccinated if you are not among the special group specifically recommended for a third shot.

I’ve had COVID-19 and two doses of the vaccine, should I get the booster shot?

People who have had COVID-19 and got two doses of vaccine can certainly get their booster shot. There seem to be questions about this. The data shared by the CDC and other agencies is that getting the booster shot after being infected with COVID-19 offers you additional protection against infection. To all adults, I would say, definitely consider a booster as an option to protect yourself and your loved ones around you. I encourage everybody to reach out to their providers or to Mount Sinai for any advice we can provide.

Get more information about COVID-19 vaccines

Mount Sinai Begins Offering COVID-19 Vaccines to Young Children

Nov 12, 2021 | COVID-19, Featured, Vaccines

Soon after receiving the go-ahead from federal and state regulators, Mount Sinai moved quickly last week to begin offering vaccines to children age 5 to 11.

This was a moment that parents—including many in the Mount Sinai community—had been waiting for, a step toward ending the pandemic and moving back toward a more normal life. Vaccines for children age 12 to 15 were authorized in May. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first authorized COVID-19 vaccines for adults in December 2020.

Lower dose Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines were offered at special pods at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Beth Israel, and Mount Sinai South Nassau used its popular Vaxmobile to deliver shots to children in the neighboring communities.

“COVID-19 has significantly affected our children in so many ways—even those who have not been sick have endured effects on their emotional and mental health, decreased physical activity, the loss of in-person learning and, for some, the loss of parents or other caregivers,” says Vicki R. LoPachin, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Mount Sinai Health System. “But the data show this vaccine to have very high efficacy at reducing infections and producing strong antibody responses, so we are confident it will be effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths in our most vulnerable young ones. We encourage all of you who have children in your families to speak to your child’s health care provider, and schedule vaccination appointments as soon as you can.”

One focus at the outset was offering vaccinations to high-risk and the most vulnerable pediatric patients like Lexi Isler, who was born without a bladder and underwent a series of medical procedures before receiving a kidney transplant from her father, Luther, at Mount Sinai in early 2019.

“This is a great day. Having the vaccine relieves some of the mental stress,” her father said, standing beside his daughter after she received the vaccine. “We always wondered about her compromised immune system, and now we don’t have to worry quite as much with this extra layer of protection.” Lexi said she looks forward to going more places, including those that require vaccination. Immunocompromised people, such as transplant patients or those being treated for some cancers, have a reduced ability to fight infections and are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.

To make an appointment at Mount Sinai for vaccination for anyone age 5 and older, click here. In addition, check the New York State, New York City, New Jersey, or Connecticut websites for other locations that offer appointments or walk-in vaccination. New York City is also offering in-home vaccinations for all residents 12 and over, as well as mobile vaccination vans

Mount Sinai is very pleased to now be able to offer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5 to 11, says Lisa M. Satlin, MD, the Herbert H. Lehman Professor of Pediatrics and Chair of the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Pediatrician-in-Chief of the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.

“Clinical studies in more than 2,000 children in this specific age group showed that the vaccine was extremely effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and generated a robust antibody response,” Dr. Satlin says. “It is critical that all children—and especially those disproportionately affected by COVID-19—be vaccinated to not only protect them from the short and long-term effects of infection, but to eliminate the secondary impact of disease on in-person education and other interactions that are critical to growing children’s mental and physical well-being.”

When the Pediatric Vaccine Pod opened on Thursday, November 4, at The Mount Sinai Hospital, staff from the hospital’s Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department were on hand to support the children arriving for this historic opportunity, and they will continue to staff the pods as long as needed.

While the development of a COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5 to 11 brings great excitement and optimism in the fight against COVID-19, for many children getting an injection can be a scary experience. Child Life Specialists work with children and their caregivers to identify coping strategies to mitigate fears and anxieties related to medical experiences such as vaccines.

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, the provision of popular items such as an iPad or bubbles to help alternate focus, and comfort positioning where a child is securely held in a caregiver’s lap, are some of the ways the child life specialists work alongside the medical team to enhance the patient experience.

Child life specialists and music therapists helped to create a supportive patient and family centered environment. Music therapists used music as a technique for coping during the injection, and also provided live music throughout the space to set a calming tone.

“This is a great opportunity to translate supportive interventions that have been impactful to our patient and families in our inpatient and outpatient environments into a new area of care,” says Licensed Music Therapist Todd O’Connor.

The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team makes sure that children leave their visit feeling proud of their accomplishment. The children received a vaccine sticker along with activity books and other fun give-away items that were available for them to use during the vaccine observation period and to take home from their visit.

“We are delighted to partner in this important initiative,” says Child Life Specialist Cheryl Strauss. “We realize that the vaccine is a two-part series, and we aim to help children recognize their strengths and coping abilities for successful return visits.”

Make an appointment at Mount Sinai for vaccination for anyone age 5 and older

Get more information from Mount Sinai about COVID-19 vaccines

Is Your Child Afraid of Getting a Shot From the Doctor? Here’s How to Help Them

Nov 9, 2021 | Children's Health, COVID-19, Featured, Vaccines, Your Health

A trip to the doctor is a common childhood fear. But when kids are afraid of needles, even a simple checkup can cause problems for children and their parents or guardians alike. With the proper preparation and planning, you can help make your next doctor’s visit as smooth as possible, and that’s more important than ever for those getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

In this Q&A, C. Anthoney Lim, MD, the Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine for the Mount Sinai Health System and the Medical Director of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Pediatric Short Stay Unit at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, explains how you can help calm your child’s fears and ease their anxiety about the doctor’s office and needles. And if needed, how you can talk with your doctor in advance about key issues, including medications that can help reduce the pain. Certified child life specialists and music therapists will also be present at the Mount Sinai vaccination pods to help support children of all ages using play, preparation, distraction and relaxation strategies.

“We have plenty of experience with children who are afraid of injections, so we can work with you and your child to ensure they get immunized in a safe and comfortable manner,” says Dr. Lim, who recently gave his own seven-year-old son the vaccine. “We are creating a very family-friendly space for the COVID-19 vaccine because you will need to bring them back in three weeks for their second shot, so it’s especially important that your child has a positive experience.”

How common is it for kids to be afraid of needles?

It is a very common fear. We see it among children who may have been hospitalized or have chronic illnesses and are in the doctor’s office a lot. But a healthy child without any medical problems is equally prone to needle-phobia.

How can I talk to my child who is afraid of needles?

There are many things you can do to help normalize the process, and it’s important to prepare. A lot of it is knowing your child and if they are at an age that we can talk about their fears. Then, prepare them by having a conversation in advance, letting them know what is going to happen at the doctor’s office and explaining what the process may look like. It can help quite a bit. Not all kids want to talk about it. But they are generally pretty smart, and they will know they are going to the doctor and what they are going for. It’s also worth remembering: Kids will often follow your lead. So if you are prepared and calm, your children will more likely be prepared and calm

Anything more specific?

For younger kids, play can be a really helpful way to prepare for a doctor visit. It provides children the opportunity to approach the event with a sense of control while creating a safe environment to express feelings and to practice coping strategies. One option for younger kids is showing them with their stuffed animal or having them play doctor to get used to what happens when you get your vaccine. For instance, when we were teaching kids how to use masks, we had them make a mask or put a mask on their teddy bear so they can see what it looks like. This is a similar process.

What about bringing something to distract my child?

You can bring a toy to distract them or a doll or plaything they can squeeze really hard. Tablets or smart phones are fine, so make sure your devices are charged. You can bring a cold pack because sometimes that will numb the area a little bit and that is often helpful. There are special cold packs for kids that also include a vibrating tiny bee that can help soothe and distract young children.

Any other techniques?

There are many relaxation strategies that children of all ages can use when feeling anxious and worried. One example is deep breathing—taking deep breaths right before the shot, and then breathing out as the shot is being delivered, can help minimize the discomfort. For younger kids, there are specific positioning techniques you can use, basically a big hug that exposes their arm for the nurse to administer the shot.

What about medications?

Most of the time, approaches that do not involve medications work really well in kids. Prescription medications require a visit or a discussion with your doctor beforehand. There are prescription products, like EMLA or ELA-Max, which are creams that contain a local anesthetic we sometimes use for children for some injections and vaccines. You put the cream on your child’s arm before you go to the doctor’s office because it takes about an hour to kick in. Over-the-counter topical creams are also available.

Is it okay to take over-the-counter pain relievers?

We recommend pain relievers like Motrin or Tylenol but only if your child experiences muscle pain or fevers after they receive the shot, and not beforehand.

How is Mount Sinai helping to make the vaccination process easier for young kids?

At our hospitals, we are setting up special areas for vaccinations for young children. We want to make it a child-friendly, family-friendly environment. We want to make sure that they have a great experience

What should I do if I have more questions?

There are some great resources online, such as from the American Academy of Pediatrics and from the Meg Foundation, an organization that helps families with pain management. A conversation with your pediatrician is very valuable.

Get more information about COVID-19 Vaccination, Appointments and Resources

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5 to 11

Oct 28, 2021 | Children's Health, COVID-19, Vaccines, Your Health

The moment many parents have been waiting for is approaching: Federal regulators are expected to decide soon whether to authorize COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11. Vaccines for kids ages 12 to 15 were authorized in May.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first authorized COVID-19 vaccines for adults in December 2020, and the safety and efficacy of vaccines has been widely discussed ever since. But those with young children still have many questions.

In this Q&A, Roberto Posada, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Medical Education, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, answers some of the questions most commonly asked of pediatricians and explains why the vaccines are extremely safe and highly effective.

How effective is the new Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11?

The new vaccine is highly effective at protecting children from severe COVID-19 disease. The studies, which included more than 4,000 children, showed children developed essentially the same level of antibodies that result in 90 percent or higher protection in adults.

How safe are they?

The vaccines are extremely safe, the same as with adults. There were minor side effects, such as pain at the site of the injection, fatigue, and headache. Importantly, there were no serious adverse events at all related to the vaccine among the more than 4,000 children that were part of the studies.

What about concerns about rare cases of heart inflammation in young men and boys?

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart, and a side effect that has been seen very, very rarely, mostly in young adult males. It was not seen in the recent studies of young children; there were no cases, and although the studies were too small to estimate what the rate might be in the general population of children, we expect it to be lower than in adolescents.

Will children experience any side effects from the vaccine? What can I do about that?

It is very likely that children who receive the vaccine, just like adults and older children, will experience pain at the site of the injection or headache. Those are expected to go away within a day or so. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be very helpful in managing the symptoms. Parents should follow the guidance of their pediatrician as to how to administer those medications to their children.

If my child had COVID-19, do they still need to get a vaccine?

Anyone who already had COVID-19 should still get the vaccine. That’s because cases of a second COVID-19 infection can happen in people who already had a first infection. The vaccine provides more protection against subsequent infections for people who already had COVID-19.

What are the benefits of vaccinating children ages 5 to 11 against COVID-19?

First of all, vaccinating young children protects them from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. We know that children have a lower risk for developing severe COVID-19 infection compared to adults, but that doesn’t mean they cannot develop severe COVID-19 infection. In fact, as an infectious disease specialist, I have seen children in the intensive care unit with complications of COVID-19. In addition, we know that even if children don’t get very sick themselves from COVID-19, children who have COVID-19 can pass it on to other people—to their parents, their siblings, their grandparents, and to kids and other people at school. So vaccinating children can also protect our community at large, including people that are at higher risk from COVID-related complications.

What if my child is afraid of injections?

It is not uncommon for children to be afraid of injections. Pediatricians have been giving vaccines for decades. Our staff are experienced in working with children who are afraid of injections. They will work with you and your child to make sure your child can get immunized in a safe manner.

Can the vaccine affect the fertility of my child?

It’s a very common misconception that the COVID-19 vaccine can affect fertility. There’s no evidence at all that the COVID-19 vaccine has that effect.

My child is 11 and about to turn 12. Should I wait and get them the adult vaccine?

We recommend that children get vaccinated at the first opportunity. Studies show that children age 11 responded very well to the pediatric formulation of the vaccine.

How do I get more information?

Parents who want to get more information about the COVID-19 vaccine for their children should contact their pediatrician for specific advice.