News | November 18, 2021
COVID-19 UPDATES: VACCINES AND TRAVEL BY ALAN TAPIA Editor
VACCINES FOR AGES 5-11
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n Dec. 11, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for those who are 16 years and older. On Oct. 29, almost a year later, the FDA authorized a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for those who are five through 11 years old. In addition, as of Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the vaccine to around 28 million children and allows for them to get the shot as quickly as possible. Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech, recently known for their effective COVID-19 vaccines in adults, have accompanied each other in developing and running clinical trials for this newly approved vaccine over the past several months. According to both the CDC and the Detroit Free Press, trials have shown a 91 percent effectiveness rate in preventing the disease. According to the Detroit Free Press, “Children in that age group would get two, 10-microgram doses about one-third the amount adults are given, spaced three weeks apart.” Before the vaccine could be ap-
FEWER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
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n Sept. 20, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that starting in November, international travelers will be allowed to visit the U.S. again, including those from the European Union and the United Kingdom. This new policy under the Biden administration allows non-citizens to enter the U.S. provided they have both a vaccination card and a negative COVID test within three days of boarding the plane. Those who are fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine after arriving. This announcement reverses the previous administration’s ban of international travelers from flying into the U.S. during
Photo by Anna Olp
United Airlines customers must wait in line to board their flights at O’Hare International Airport. As air travel restrictions are modified, more passengers pass through the airport each day.
Page design by Casey Walters
ing tested, Director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Francis Collins stated, “I’ve got to be honest, I don’t see the approval for kids - 5 to 11 - coming much before the end of 2021.” As of Oct. 29, however, with the official approval of the vaccine, that claim has been disproved. BioNTech earlier stated that once the vaccine for ages 5-11 is officially distributed, they plan to start on a vaccine for those between the ages of six months and two years.
proved by the FDA, there had to be many tests and trials, in addition to research and monitoring. The FDA stated that all children in clinical trials should be monitored for at least two months to observe side effects. This was done as a precautionary measure to detect any rare side effects and promote safety and effectiveness before full approval. According to NBC Chicago, many people, specifically parents, have been hesitant to accept this new vaccine because of concerns over long-term impacts that have turned up in other younger vaccine recipients, which is why all of this extra testing was necessary. Throughout these trials, though, side effects were considered mild and mirrored those found in adults. According to the CDC, “COVID-19 vaccines have undergone - and will continue to undergo - the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.” Despite the unknowns and skepticism that can accompany any vaccine, this vaccine was still able to be approved long before many expected. While it was still in the process of be-
The Walgreens in Sugar Grove has a specific desk for people to check in to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. They have also started to offer booster shots.
the height of the pandemic. Former President Donald Trump placed restrictions on travelers hailing from the United Kingdom, China, Brazil and Europe. These restrictions were still in place when Biden first took office, but according to KFF.org, “As of [the first week of November], federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 67% of the total population in the United States have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.” As this number increases with time and new information is released every day, rules and policies can change. The CDC has also taken new steps to minimize further spread of COVID, including enhancing contact tracing, requiring airlines to collect phone numbers and collecting emails from foreign visitors. The White House also announced they will be implementing tougher rules on unvaccinated Americans that are coming in from countries overseas. Unvaccinated Americans returning from international travel will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test within 24 hours of returning home. The CDC currently recommends that unvaccinated Americans from overseas be tested three to five days after returning and
self-quarantine for seven days. Additionally, those who don’t get tested are asked to self-quarantine for 10 days after travel. This has been done to encourage unvaccinated people to consider doing so. Meanwhile, the airline industry, which has lost significant revenue from travel restrictions, has rejoiced at the news. Many airlines have praised the decision, as it’s a lifeline for the industry. For many employees, this has provided more work opportunities and will generate revenue for the affected airline companies. The U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow called the decision “a major turning point in the management of the virus,” and he hopes that it “will accelerate the recovery of the millions of travel-related jobs that have been lost due to international travel restrictions.” As restrictions change daily, people are hopeful for opportunities to come. “Science tells us that vaccinations coupled with testing are the safest way to re-open travel, and we are optimistic this important decision will allow for the continued economic recovery both in the U.S. and abroad and the reunification of families who have been separated for more than 18 months,” Delta Air Lines spokesman Morgan Durrant said.
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