Technology Department COVID-19 Vaccines For Children

Technology Department COVID-19 Vaccines for Children: The Essential Role of the Pediatric Nurse

Among the critical health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is the development and administration of vaccines to children. Pediatric nurses play an essential role in educating, advocating, and administering vaccines to promote children's health and curb the spread of the virus. This paper reviews the scientific basis of genetically engineered COVID-19 vaccines, underscores the importance of including children in clinical trials, and discusses the vital role pediatric nurses have in vaccination efforts amid ongoing uncertainties and public concerns.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted children both directly, through infection, and indirectly, via disruptions to routine healthcare. Since the onset of the pandemic, over 1 million U.S. children have contracted COVID-19, representing approximately 10% of all cases. Although most cases are mild, severe outcomes, including Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), have been documented. The pandemic has also led to a decline in routine childhood vaccinations due to decreased healthcare visits and increased reliance on telemedicine, posing future risks for vaccine-preventable diseases (CDC, 2020a; NFID, 2020).

In response to the pandemic, unprecedented efforts have been launched to develop effective vaccines rapidly. Genetic engineering, particularly through mRNA technologies, has revolutionized vaccine development. These vaccines utilize a snippet of the virus's genetic code—messenger RNA—to instruct host cells to produce viral proteins that stimulate immune responses without causing disease (Abbasi, 2020; Molteni, 2020). This approach had not previously led to licensed vaccines, but the urgency of COVID-19 accelerated the regulatory and scientific processes, leading to the approval and distribution of several vaccines within a year of genetic code identification (HHS, 2020a).

The primary types of COVID-19 vaccines include mRNA vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and protein subunit vaccines. All aim to produce an immune response by exposing the body to viral components or their genetic instructions, prompting the production of antibodies, T-cells, B-lymphocytes, and memory cells that confer protection. For example, mRNA vaccines—such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna—deliver genetic instructions for the spike protein, leading host cells to produce this antigen and generate immunity. Viral vector vaccines use harmless modified viruses to deliver genetic material, while protein subunit vaccines consist of harmless viral proteins directly stimulating immune responses (CDC, 2020d).

Despite the progress in vaccine development for adults, children remain a vulnerable population and have yet to be included in large-scale clinical trials. Currently, only trials enrolling adolescents aged 12–17 are underway. The inclusion of children in vaccine trials is essential to establish safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing for pediatric populations. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of including children and pregnant women in ongoing research, to ensure these vulnerable groups are protected (AAP, 2020b).

Involving children in clinical trials is a complex but necessary step. The process involves careful ethical considerations, age-appropriate study designs, and parental consent. As adult trials demonstrate safety and efficacy, subsequent pediatric trials can proceed in phased approaches, starting with older children and moving to younger age groups as data accumulate. This method ensures that pediatric safety is prioritized while expediting access to vaccines that could save lives and reduce transmission (Cincinnati Children's, 2020).

Public perception and vaccine hesitancy remain significant barriers. Misinformation, rapid development timelines, and concerns about long-term effects contribute to apprehension among parents and communities. Racial disparities further complicate vaccination efforts; for instance, studies reveal that Black adults are less likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines compared to other racial groups, which may extend to parental vaccine decisions for children. Addressing these concerns requires culturally sensitive education, transparent communication, and trust-building initiatives led by healthcare providers, especially nurses (Tyson et al., 2020).

Pediatric nurses have a pivotal role in combating vaccine hesitancy and promoting immunization. Their responsibilities include staying informed about the latest evidence on COVID-19 vaccines, engaging in effective communication with parents and children, and dispelling myths and misconceptions. Empathic dialogue, tailored education, and reassurance about vaccine safety are vital tactics. Additionally, nurses should advocate for the inclusion of children in clinical trials, contribute to public health campaigns, and serve as role models by receiving the vaccine themselves. Vaccination not only protects individual health but also contributes to community immunity, underscoring the collective responsibility of healthcare professionals (Stevens & Marvicsin, 2016).

The implementation of vaccination programs must be supported by health policies that ensure equitable access, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) develops phased allocation plans, prioritizing healthcare workers and high-risk groups, but eventually expanding to children as safety and efficacy data become available. Pediatric nurses can assist in coordinating vaccine clinics, monitoring adverse events, and providing post-vaccination education. Institutional mandates for healthcare workers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations could serve as a precedent for broader school and community vaccination requirements, fostering higher coverage and community protection (CDC, 2020e).

The future of COVID-19 vaccination in children depends on ongoing clinical trials, transparent communication, and community engagement. Uncertainties such as the duration of immunity, potential need for booster doses, and long-term safety profiles must be addressed through continuous research and surveillance. Public trust can be strengthened by healthcare professionals, especially pediatric nurses, who serve as trusted sources of information and advocates for vaccination. Their role is critical in translating scientific evidence into practice, encouraging vaccination acceptance, and ultimately contributing to controlling the pandemic's impact on children and society (Roush, 2020; Tyson et al., 2020).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the development of genetically engineered COVID-19 vaccines marks a significant scientific achievement with the potential to protect children effectively. Including children in clinical trials is an ethical and scientific imperative to ensure safety and efficacy tailored to pediatric populations. Pediatric nurses play a fundamental role in education, advocacy, and vaccination delivery, helping to overcome hesitancy and promote community immunity. As the pandemic continues to evolve, a coordinated effort involving research, public health policies, and nursing leadership is essential for safeguarding children's health and ending the global crisis.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020b). Include children in COVID-19 vaccine trials. AAP News. https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/11/17/covidvaccinetrials111720
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020a). CDC COVID data tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020d). Understanding how COVID-19 vaccines work. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/about-vaccines/how-they-work.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020e). Facts about COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
• HHS. (2020a). Fact sheet: Explaining Operation Warp Speed. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/07/22/fact-sheet-explaining-operation-warp-speed.html
• Molteni, M. (2020). Why it's a big deal if the first COVID vaccine is 'genetic'. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/why-its-a-big-deal-if-the-first-covid-vaccine-is-genetic/
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). (2020). Issue brief: The impact of COVID-19 on U.S. vaccination rates. https://www.nfid.org/briefs/brief-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-us-vaccination-rates/
• Roush, K. (2020). The race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. American Journal of Nursing, 120(10), 14-15.
• Stevens, S. E., & Marvicsin, D. J. (2016). Evidence-based recommendations for reducing pediatric distress during vaccination. Pediatric Nursing, 42(6), 278-284.
• Tyson, A., Johnson, C., & Funk, C. (2020). U.S. public now divided over whether to get COVID-19 vaccine. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2020/09/17/u-s-public-now-divided-over-whether-to-get-covid-19-vaccine/