When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available for kids, and will it be safe? We ask the questions Champaign-Urbana area parents are thinking and get answers from a local Christie Clinic physician
The past few weeks have been energizing with hope and positivity as the COVID vaccine has rolled out across the country, starting with healthcare providers.
In Champaign County, the first vaccine shipments arrived in mid-December, with the first doses going to local hospitals.
As of this writing, the COVID-19 vaccines that have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are only available for adults, although that definition varies. (In the case of the Moderna vaccine, it’s been approved for those 18 and up. And the Pfizer vaccine was approved for those 16 and up.)
The timeline and availability of the vaccine for kids is just one of the issues addressed in this interview with Christie Clinic’s Dr. Nathan Roberts, who practices family medicine at Christie Clinic’s Tuscola office.
Dr. Roberts addressed questions about all things COVID-19 vaccine and kids – when to expect it, what we should ask our providers, and how to talk to kids about it.
Laura Bleill of chambanamoms.com talks to Dr. Roberts from his office, and gets answers to the questions most parents are asking, including:
Since this vaccine is using different science, how do I know this will be safe for my child? What are the potential side effects of the vaccine for kids?
Will kids need to have two shots?
What are some considerations we should discuss with our child’s provider?
Click below for the full interview with Dr. Nathan Roberts of Christie Clinic.
COVID VACCINE INFO: CHRISTIE CLINIC
As of early January, Christie Clinic is in the process of administering the vaccination to frontline team members. Appointments are not being taken at this time for patients to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Updates from Christie Clinic regarding the vaccine will be added on this website.
Below are images of Christie Clinic doctors receiving and celebrating their first doses (on the right, Dr. Andrew Bartlett; on the left, Dr. Kathleen Collins) on December 22. These photos were first posted on the Christie Clinic Facebook page.
COVID VACCINE INFO: CUPHD
For more information and to stay up-to-date on the phases for COVID-19 vaccination in Champaign County, visit the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District COVID-19 website. CUPHD has a comprehensive dashboard that includes numbers of Champaign County residents vaccinated, and also more detailed information on the stages for vaccination.
CUPHD has directed residents to continue checking their site for the latest info. Many people may hear about their eligibility for the vaccine directly from employers, or from their medical providers.
Thank you to our friends at Christie Clinic for this timely information. Contact Christie Clinic at (217) 366-1200.