Trending
The end of the pandemic is in sight. If we want it.
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in adolescents 12 to 15 years old. Just last month, the same vaccine was authorized for use by older teens aged 16 and 17. The decision expands the pool of Maui County's eligible vaccine recipients to nearly 80 percent of our population.
The FDA's decision came after a thorough review of safety data from 2,260 participants in a double-blind study for those aged 12 to 15. About half of the participants got two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and the rest received a saline placebo. There were no cases of COVID infection in those who received the vaccine and 16 infections in those with the saline shot.
Most study participants were followed for two months to evaluate side effects and safety. The most commonly reported side effects--pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, fever and joint pain--lasted one to three days. Similar to adults, side effects in teens were more common after the second dose.
While most young people have a lower risk of infection than seniors, those under the age of 18 now account for one in five new COVID cases. Infected teens unintentionally contribute to community spread because many have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. They feel fine, but are still contagious and can easily spread COVID-19 to friends, family and strangers.
To reduce health risks to the Class of 2021, I've been urging parents of teens to get their kids immunized without delay. Graduates should also consider that hundreds of American colleges and universities will require incoming students to be fully vaccinated prior to starting classes this fall.
Some parents are undecided or hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine for themselves or their teens. Given the abundance of misinformation on social media, it's easy to understand why some may feel unsure about vaccines.
The nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate researched and analyzed thousands of anti-vax posts on Facebook and Twitter from early February through mid-March of this year. Researchers found that 73 percent of the false vaccine information on Facebook and 65 percent on Twitter originated from just 12 sources, none of which had scientific or medical expertise. Don't trust conspiracy theorists with your family's healthcare decisions. Consult with medical professionals instead.
Vaccination is your choice. For the vast majority, the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks of getting sick with COVID-19. Your best source for reliable information and advice is your family physician. He or she will know your medical history, including the potential for an allergic reaction to the vaccine. If you're unsure about vaccine safety, schedule a phone or telehealth conversation with your healthcare provider to answer your questions.
The good news for teens and their parents is that the Hawaii Department of Education and the Hawaii Department of Health will soon offer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine through clinics at all public high schools. Details will be forthcoming soon. According to the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, many of Maui's private high schools may follow suit. Parents should check with their students' school for more information, or seek out clinics that administer the Pfizer vaccine at www.mauinuistrong.info.
With 41 percent fully immunized in Hawaii, we rank 8th in the percentage of fully vaccinated populations as compared to the other 49 states and Washington D.C. This is very good, but we can do better.
Public health experts estimate that herd immunity from COVID-19 will occur when 70 percent to 80 percent of the population is vaccinated. But even if we fall short of that threshold, vaccinations still hold the key to transforming a disruptive pandemic into a controllable threat. Only then can we return to a sense of normalcy.
County, state and federal governments can only make the vaccine available and accessible. The rest is up to you. We trust the vast majority of Maui County residents, aged 12 and older, will roll up their sleeves to be vaccinated.
Remember, a vaccine that stays on a shelf can't protect us.
* "Our County," a column from Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino, discusses county issues and activities of county government.