Dr. Ashanti Woods Discusses Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccination to Kids

Just in time for the end of the school year and the start to the busy summer camp and vacation season, the U.S. FDA is possibly only days away from authorizing Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12 to 15 years old.

So, what do parents need to know?

"Fortunately, the results so far show that the vaccine is quite safe," said Ashanti Woods, M.D., FAAP, who specializes in General Pediatrics at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, Maryland. 

According to Dr. Woods, parents often ask about the vaccine’s side effects: Will a younger immune system mean a more robust or severe response?

"The research that exists so far, it doesn't seem to suggest that younger kids are getting any sicker or having a more severe side effect profile, in fact they've had mild, if any, side effects with that 2nd shot," Dr. Woods said.

And what about if your child has already had the coronavirus?

"The child who had COVID has likely protection against the COVID that they had. It’s almost a guarantee that they don't necessarily have any protection from any variants," Dr. Woods said.

To view Mercy board certified pediatrician Dr. Ashanti Woods’ interview with WBAL-TV regarding children and the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.