Recent findings from Hong Kong suggest that children infected with the BA.2 variant of COVID-19 face a higher risk of serious illness compared to previous strains. Despite the low overall rate of severe illness among children, this variant has been associated with an increased likelihood of ICU admissions and fatalities. Four pediatric deaths were recorded during the recent surge linked to BA.2, all of whom were unvaccinated and had never contracted COVID-19 before. Their ages ranged from 11 months to 9 years, with some having underlying health conditions.
The data indicates that children hospitalized with BA.2 were more susceptible to developing conditions like croup and experiencing febrile seizures, leading to a higher rate of ICU admissions and deaths than those infected with earlier variants, influenza, or parainfluenza. The fatality rate for BA.2 in children was reported at 0.35%, compared to 0.05% for influenza and 0.04% for parainfluenza. In contrast, there were no fatalities among children hospitalized with prior COVID-19 variants.
This alarming information emphasizes the importance of vaccination for children, especially as only 27.3% of U.S. children aged 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Given the rising statistics from Hong Kong, parents considering vaccination for their children may want to act sooner rather than later. For more information, check out this related post for insights on home insemination, as it can provide a broader understanding of family planning during these uncertain times.
For those interested in more resources, Make A Mom offers excellent information on home insemination kits, which could be beneficial for families looking to expand. Additionally, the CDC provides valuable statistics on infertility and pregnancy that may be useful to prospective parents.
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In summary, the BA.2 variant poses a heightened risk of severe illness in children, making vaccination more critical than ever. Parents should stay informed and consider their options regarding vaccinations and family planning.
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