Is COVID-19 of concern for kids

Parents are used to kids picking up germs and getting sick, whether it’s a cold from daycare or a stomach bug from school. We get used to the routine of wiping noses and keeping kids home for a day or two. But it’s still worth taking precautions to prevent illness since infections can sometimes result in serious complications.

When it comes to COVID-19, it’s true that many children experience mild symptoms. However, some kids can still:

• be hospitalized for complications such as difficulty breathing;
• experience longer-term health effects;
• and get a rare but serious complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children or MIS-C, which can occur several weeks after COVID-19 infection.

To help protect your kids, follow public health guidelines, such having your child vaccinated and teaching them about mask wearing and hand cleaning.

Overall, vaccination is one of the best ways to protect your kids from complications from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized in Canada for children six months of age and older, and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Canadian Paediatric Society have made recommendations about using these vaccines for children. They recommended:

• An initial series of vaccines for children five to 11 years of age, with a booster dose recommended for some kids.
• Little ones six months to four years of age may also receive an initial series of vaccines.

Even if they’ve had COVID-19, vaccination can improve a child’s immunity and give them better and longer protection.