During a news conference Friday morning, UPMC doctors encouraged vaccination for children ages 5 to 11 on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's approval of the Pfizer vaccine for younger children earlier in the week.

Tami Minnier, chief quality officer of UPMC, encouraged everyone to continue to focus on three points of protection and response for themselves and their children: wearing a mask, getting the vaccine and getting tested if they get sick.

“The Pfizer COVID-19 5-11 vaccine is here, and we are ready. We have a lot of experience with this vaccine in adults and adolescents. It has been thoroughly studied in young children, with the same outcome. It is safe and effective, and it will save lives,” said Dr. Alejandro Hoberman, president of UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics. “This is now a vaccine-preventable disease, like measles or polio, and many other diseases that affect children. As a society, we must protect our children, and the vaccine can do this.”

Hoberman said that there have been 6.5 million cases of COVID-19 in children of all ages across the United States, with close to 2 million of those cases being in children ages 5 to 11. More than 8,300 children have been hospitalized.

During October, 10% of all COVID-19 cases in the nation have been within the 5-to-11 age group.

He highlighted that 750 children have died of COVID-19 nationally, with 94 of those being 5- to 11-year-olds.

“Some may say the rates are low, but in my eyes that's 750 too many,” Hoberman said. “Each was a child who lost a long future, and who left behind those who loved them. COVID is among the top 10 causes of death in children.”

UPMC's plan

UPMC's efforts and plans to vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds are already in motion.

“The moment the vaccines were authorized, we began vaccination,” Hoberman said. “Within one day, over 10,000 pediatric vaccination appointments have been scheduled.”

Hoberman explained that UPMC plans to mostly distribute the vaccine through pediatric practices, where families feel comfortable with their regular pediatricians.

“Giving vaccines is what we do as pediatricians,” he said. “Our pediatricians will answer any questions that parents have about the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Hoberman said that community-based and school-based clinics also will be set up soon, and that UPMC is committed to equity and access to the vaccine. He encouraged people to reach out if they are interested in hosting a clinic in their school or community.

“We encourage family members to talk to us about their concerns,” Hoberman said. “Our clinicians want to hear your questions, and we want to have a dialogue about the benefits and risks of any pediatric vaccine. That is what we're here for: to help explain the science and the data.”

Risks for unvaccinated

Minnier encouraged parents to ask questions if they have concerns, and highlighted the increased dangers of being unvaccinated at this stage of the pandemic.

“If you are an unvaccinated individual, you have a 10 times greater chance of dying,” she said. “By making the decision to (not get vaccinated), you essentially are taking a risk with your own health.”

Hoberman said the possible adverse effects of the vaccine — minor pain at the site of injection, short term low-grade fever and fatigue — are much lower than the adverse symptoms of COVID-19.

“There's the belief that COVID-19 is rare in children, but kids are getting a lot of COVID,” Hoberman said. “It is a severe disease. The fact that these vaccinations are happening in the pediatrician's office is the most important component. This is the place where our patients trust us, and communicate with us.”

He said the vaccine should help avoid disrupting children's lives further.

“Across the United States, school classrooms closed because of COVID cases,” he said. “When this happens, we interrupt the education and socialization that children need. They need the sporting events, they need their friends, the activities, the learning, the birthday parties and time with their grandparents — all essential in their development. If we all do our part, we can protect ourselves, our families, our neighbors and our beautiful community, and put an end to this pandemic.”

Danger for unvaccinated moms

Dr. Richard Beigi, president at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, highlighted the need for pregnant women to also get vaccinated. He emphasized that the CDC and UPMC recommend the vaccines for all pregnant patients.

“I'm very happy to report that among the tens of thousands of women who have been closely studied after they chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the data is clear — these vaccines are safe,” he said. “There's a large group of moms-to-be who received the COVID vaccine around a year ago and have given birth to thousands of healthy babies without any evidence of negative effects on their pregnancy. Similarly, tens of thousands of women have received the COVID-19 vaccine before getting pregnant, and have not had any struggles related to infertility whatsoever.”

Beigi said that less than one-third of all pregnant women are vaccinated across the nation and that Western Pennsylvania has seen similar numbers. He added that pregnant women are at a higher risk for COVID-19.

He said that at Magee-Womens Hospital, unvaccinated new mothers are having worse outcomes with COVID-19 than vaccinated new mothers. Some mothers have not been able to see their newborn babies for weeks.

“These are healthy, young women, otherwise ecstatic to be pregnant. Women beaming with joy at the thought of becoming mothers are becoming critically ill with COVID-19,” he said. “This does not need to be this way. It does not need to happen.”

UPMC will hold a pregnancy vaccine-specific clinic Nov. 17, where pregnant women can come and get vaccinated or receive a booster shot if they qualify. The clinic will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh.

“Top obstetricians and gynecologists will be on site to answer any questions you might have,” Beigi said. “To women who are still considering: please come if you have questions and concerns. We want to start a dialogue with you. We want to provide you with facts, so you are equipped to make the right informed decision for yourself, your baby and your family.”