Are there different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for kids with Down syndrome? MGH doctor answers
Updated: 12:07 PM EDT Jun 25, 2022
this week. The youngest kids officially became eligible for their covid 19 vaccines. Parents always have had *** lot to consider and juggle for this age group. But that’s even more true for parents of Children with medical conditions. Joining us now is Dr brian Scott co *** geneticist and director of the Down syndrome program at MGH DR Scott Skoko, thank you so much for being here this morning. We know parents scrutinize every medical decision for their kids. Parents of kids with special needs. Even more. So are there different recommendations when it comes to vaccinating Children with Down syndrome? Importantly, the recommendations are the same. That is everyone with Down syndrome six months and older should get the vaccine. And the reason why it’s so important is we want to prevent people with Down syndrome from getting sick because it means they’ll miss their therapies and they’re enriching educational activities. So yes, do get your Children vaccinated? Well, there was actually *** survey of parents whose Children got their shots. What did that find? Importantly, we’ve been tracking all of the vaccinations and people with Down syndrome and Encouragingly the side effects from the vaccinations are either mild or negligent. People with Down syndrome tolerate the vaccines very well and they’ve been very effective for our population. What about parents who might have had *** harder time getting their Children to *** clinic or *** pharmacy. Are there resources out there that can help them? You know, we’re so lucky to live in massachusetts. We actually have *** massachusetts homebound vaccination program. People can find it by going to the states vaccination web page. And this is particularly helpful for parents who have Children with perhaps significant behavioral issues Or issues with other diagnoses like autism, making it harder to go to vaccination sites. And so *** license provider will come to your home to be able to deliver the vaccination to your child in the most comfortable setting. Very important. I’m glad to hear that. Also on *** personal note for you, Dr. Scott. So I know you that you have *** sister with down syndrome. What have the conversations been like with your own sister about the COVID-19 vaccine. You know, Kristen who is 41 during the pandemic. It was hard. Lots of her date programming was shut down and she felt *** lot of isolation, like so many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And so when the vaccines came out, she was so eager to get them in her booster because she said this was her way to get back and now that her day programming is open. She constantly asks me, when should I get my next booster vaccine. So she recognizes the importance of the vaccination for the resumption of her daily activities. I’m glad to hear that. Glad to hear that she’s getting back to normal with everything. All right. Dr brian Skoko, *** geneticist and the director of the Down syndrome program at MGH. Thank you so much for joining us this morning. Thank you
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Are there different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for kids with Down syndrome? MGH doctor answers
Updated: 12:07 PM EDT Jun 25, 2022
Dr. Brian Skotko is a geneticist and director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Dr. Brian Skotko is a geneticist and director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
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