Just as the world began to turn versus spinning out of control, we are faced with the new challenge of protecting our children! The good news is that children 12 and older may receive the COVID-19 vaccine and are highly encouraged to do so. The bad news is that children under 12 are not currently able to be vaccinated, leaving them at risk for contracting COVID-19.

Generally speaking, children infected with the coronavirus tend to have milder symptoms and are sometimes totally symptom-free whereas adults tend to have more severe symptoms. That said, we have also heard about frightening cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and although rare, can make every parent and grandparent pause.

With all of the research available, we hope we are doing the best for our children as well as ourselves. In a recent study, JAMA Network published some positive information regarding long-COVID in children. Although long-COVID in children exists, the prevalence is low in children assessed 6 months after a positive serologic test. Finally, we are getting some positive information and researchers are keeping our children in mind as they dive deeper into this frightening disease. Stay well, stay informed and stay tuned!