Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Vaccines/The COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunocompromised Kids

The COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunocompromised Kids

The COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunocompromised Kids
November 22, 2021
Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD
0 Comments

With the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases and the increasing rate of vaccinations, for some, it may feel like the pandemic is finally moving in the right direction. However, for the families of kids who are immunocompromised, they may feel a bit stuck. 

That’s because the vaccines need the immune system to work, and people who are immunocompromised may not respond as well to the vaccines. Immunocompromised individuals were not included in the original vaccine trials because as with all clinical trials, they have strict enrollment criteria. With the success of the vaccine for healthy individuals, the time has come to study it in immunocompromised children. If your child is immunocompromised, please consider enrolling in our study!

We consider kids to be immunocompromised when they have an underlying disease or take medications that decrease their ability to fight infections. 

The Number of Kids with Compromised Immune Systems

While we don’t know the exact number of children who have compromised immune systems in this country, we know that it is a significant number of the patients we serve at Cincinnati Children’s, and is conceivably similar to other children’s hospitals around the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 2.6% of children are immunocompromised. 

Why COVID-19 Is Problematic for Immunocompromised Kids

It is important for us to further study this vaccine because COVID-19 increases an immunocompromised child’s chances of having more severe, longer infections. We are still learning about how immunocompromised kids respond to the illness. As more are infected, we see that there is a broad range of responses — from no symptoms at all to hospitalizations. 

Immunocompromised Kids and Their Response to the Vaccine

Similarly, we are studying how immunocompromised kids respond to the vaccine. Adults who are immunocompromised, including solid organ transplant recipients and patients on biologics, have decreased responses to COVID vaccination and remain at-risk for infection. We expect that children in similar circumstances may have decreased responses as well, but the only way to know for sure is to carefully study it. 

This is the same vaccine that has emergency use approval from the FDA and support from the CDC for children. The dose each child will receive is the same dose recommended for each age group. 

We hope that this study helps us to provide more information to patients and families about the best ways we can help protect them from COVID-19 in the future. If you are interested in seeing if your child qualifies for this study, please complete the survey. 

Related Articles

What Parents Need to Know About COVID, Flu and RSV in Fall ‘23
What Parents Need to Know About COVID, Flu and RSV in Fall ‘23
Can Kids Get the COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines at the Same Time?
Can Kids Get the COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines at the Same Time?
Don’t Believe the Hype: COVID-19 Boosters Work and Here’s Why
Don’t Believe the Hype: COVID-19 Boosters Work and Here’s Why
Eating Disorders and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Eating Disorders and the COVID-19 Pandemic
TAGS:
  • COVID-19
  • Home

About the author: Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD

Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD, MPH, is the Director of Immunocompromised Host Infectious Disease at Cincinnati Children’s. She specializes in treating infections for a variety of patient populations, including those who have received solid organ transplants and hematopoietic stem cell transplants, immunocompromised patients and those undergoing treatment for various cancers.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.1k views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 654 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 633 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 521 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 274 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 259 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center