Parents with children who are 12 and older – or whose child will soon be 12 – may still be deciding whether to vaccinate them against COVID.

And those with younger children may be looking to learn more about the vaccine with the news that a dose may soon be authorized for children ages 5-11 and as the delta variant continues to disrupt school for many kids across the country.

Families will have a chance to ask three pediatric experts from University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital their top questions about COVID vaccination for kids during a live Q & A session at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17.

Luanne Thomas Ewald, FACHE, M.H.A., chief operating officer at Mott and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital will moderate the event. Panelists will include pediatric infectious diseases expert Elizabeth Lloyd, M.D.; pediatrician

Alanna Nzoma, M.D.; and pediatric pulmonologist Ixsy Ramirez, M.D. who sees kids in the pediatric post-COVID syndrome clinic at Mott)

“We understand that there are different concerns when it comes to getting the COVID-19 vaccine, especially when parents are making this decision for their child,” Ewald said.

“We hope to offer an opportunity to help families learn more in order to make an informed choice.”

The live discussion will be held on both the @MottChildren and @MichiganMedicine Facebook pages as well as the @UMichMedicine and @MottChildren Twitter accounts and the Michigan Medicine YouTube channel. 

Attendees may ask questions live at the time of the event. The video of the chat will also be available on these platforms for those who would like to view it afterwards.

Topics include:

• What to expect after getting the vaccine
• Side effects of the vaccine
• Weighing risks
• Fertility questions
• Concerns about myocarditis
• Vaccine approval process and the difference between the vaccine for those over and under the age of 12
• COVID antibodies and getting the vaccine
• Herd immunity
• Who shouldn’t get the vaccine
• COVID risks to kids during the delta wave