The coronavirus pandemic is now not a nationwide emergency, however the virus that causes COVID-19 is not gone-;and neither is the danger of getting the illness. For folks, navigating when to get their baby vaccinated and understanding the right way to finest shield their baby from COVID-19 will be difficult. We spoke to Michael Smit, MD, MSPH, Hospital Epidemiologist and Medical Director of An infection Prevention and Management at Kids’s Hospital Los Angeles, to get an replace on the most recent COVID-19 vaccine info and precautions.

Who’s eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that was accredited final fall?

Everybody who’s 6 months and older ought to get a bivalent booster dose so long as it has been no less than two months since they acquired a monovalent vaccine dose, which was the unique COVID vaccine. People who find themselves 6 years and older and who’re immunocompromised may also obtain a second dose of bivalent vaccine no less than two months after their first dose of the bivalent. When you’ve got questions in regards to the eligibility of you or your baby to get the booster, it is best to examine along with your medical supplier.

For youngsters who’re getting their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, will they obtain the unique monovalent sequence or the bivalent vaccine?

The present COVID-19 vaccine pointers from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), which had been up to date in Could 2023, suggest that unvaccinated kids 6 months and older get the bivalent vaccine.

Are kids who acquired the unique COVID vaccine sequence eligible for the bivalent booster?

Sure. Kids who already acquired the unique vaccine sequence are eligible for the bivalent vaccine. The rules will be difficult in case your baby has beforehand acquired the unique vaccine, so I like to recommend consulting public well being pointers and your medical supplier.

Coronavirus circumstances are waning in most locations within the U.S. Do you suggest getting the bivalent vaccine if you have not gotten it?

I like to recommend following vaccine pointers offered by U.S. public well being businesses such because the CDC and the California Division of Public Well being. Though COVID-19 circumstances are presently low, it’s nonetheless a severe illness that may trigger sickness, hospitalization and demise.

What does the analysis present about uncomfortable side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in kids?

Unintended effects of the are typically delicate and short-term. The commonest uncomfortable side effects for kids ages 6 months to three years embody ache on the leg or arm the place the shot was given, swollen lymph nodes, irritability or crying, sleepiness and lack of urge for food. For youngsters 4 to 17 years of age, uncomfortable side effects additionally embody ache on the website the place the shot was given, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. This age group may also expertise complications, chills, muscle aches and lack of urge for food. In some uncommon circumstances, adolescent boys have been discovered to expertise myocarditis, a uncommon irritation of the guts, after vaccination. Nevertheless, the danger of this situation is greater for kids who get contaminated with COVID-19 than for many who have acquired the vaccine.

The CDC has indicated that folks will get a COVID-19 vaccine shot every year. Is that for everybody?

Presently individuals ages 65 years and older can obtain a dose of the bivalent vaccine no less than 4 months after the primary dose. I like to recommend that folks talk about whether or not to get the extra booster with their medical supplier. Presently, the CDC has not introduced a second booster shot for teams aside from those that are 65 and older or people who find themselves immunocompromised.

Can kids get lengthy COVID? Is there a solution to shield towards lengthy COVID in children or adults?

Sure, kids get lengthy COVID. The easiest way to guard anybody towards lengthy COVID is to stay updated on COVID-19 vaccinations. If you don’t get COVID-19, you’ll not get lengthy COVID. When you do get COVID-19 after being vaccinated, you’re much less more likely to develop lengthy COVID.

Are there drugs obtainable for adults or kids in the event that they get contaminated with COVID-19?

Sure, there are drugs obtainable for each adults and youngsters in the event that they get COVID-19. These drugs can have interactions with different drugs or have particular indications to be used primarily based on a person’s well being standing. I like to recommend discussing taking any COVID-19 drugs along with your medical supplier.

What are the isolation guidelines right now if somebody is contaminated with COVID-19?

When you take a look at constructive for COVID-19, present isolation pointers from the CDC depend upon whether or not or not you may have signs. No matter signs, in the event you take a look at constructive it is best to isolate for 5 days. When you should be round others, it is best to put on a high-quality masks and keep away from contact as a lot as potential. When you should not have signs, isolation is accomplished after day 5, with day zero being the day you had a constructive take a look at.

When you do have signs, then chances are you’ll finish isolation after day 5 so long as you’re fever-free and your signs are bettering. In case you are experiencing average signs, together with shortness of breath, it is best to isolate for 10 days. For average or extreme circumstances, it is best to talk about particular isolation particulars along with your medical supplier.

What are the very best methods to keep away from COVID-19 at this level?

The easiest way to keep away from COVID-19 is to remain updated in your vaccines. This decreases your possibilities of catching COVID-19, which, in flip, enormously decreases your possibilities of growing lengthy COVID. You can even lower your possibilities of getting COVID-19 by avoiding crowded conditions the place you can’t preserve bodily distancing of about 3 feet-;arm’s length-;from others. If crowded conditions can’t be averted, then sporting a well-fitting masks might lower your possibilities of getting COVID-19, however provided that the masks is worn accurately and constantly.