Unvaccinated children are a 'vulnerable host' for the coronavirus, expert says

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Sun, 2021-06-06 13:17 — mike kraft

Covid-19 cases fall to new lows in the US. But unvaccinated children are a 'vulnerable host' for the virus, expert says Americans are finally getting a breath of fresh air, as this summer is beginning to look like a time for not only soaking in the sun but also celebrating reopenings from the pandemic. Aya Elamroussi, CNN CNN

(CNN) Americans are finally getting a breath of fresh air, as this summer is beginning to look like a time for not only soaking in the sun but also celebrating reopenings from the pandemic.

But as the adult population gets inoculated, experts continue to draw attention to children who are not yet vaccinated.

Dr. Richina Bicette, associate medical director at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told CNN that children are accounting for nearly 25% of total Covid-19 cases in the US.

"As adults get vaccinated and become more protected and immune to this virus, the virus is still in the community looking for a vulnerable host and pediatric patients fit that description," Bicette explained.

And severe infections are not limited to older Americans. A study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined more than 200 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who were likely hospitalized primarily for Covid-19 in the first three months of 2021.

The report revealed that while there were no deaths, nearly a third were admitted to intensive care units and roughly 5% required invasive mechanical ventilation.

Children 12 and older can receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and outreach efforts have already started in the race to protect teens who are eligible. ...ork.

On June 10, vaccine advisers will meet with the US Federal Drug Administration to discuss allowing Covid-19 vaccines for children 11 and under.

Nearly 63% of adults in the US have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of Saturday morning, CDC data shows. ...

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