https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:22:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2926009 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 23:45:59 +0000 karenbme 2926009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: So sorry your LO is going through this! FWIW I saw some data recently that compared the proportion of kids 4 and under in ERs and inpatient hospital beds with Covid to the number of overall cases in young kids that found so far this wave is much less likely to result in an ER visit or hospitalization than delta. I can’t find the link right now, but their finding was that &lt;1% of cases in toddlers with Covid ended up admitted to the hospital compared to something in the 4-5% range for Delta.</p> <p>@erinbaderin: Yes to all the vaccinations! DH and I were first in line when our number came up for shots and boosters, and DD will be as well. For me that was the biggest blow, feeling like it is inevitable now that she’ll get it before she has any protection (although I do have a few bags of milk from right after my second shot in the freezer as a way to do something if/when it happens). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925977 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:30:36 +0000 MrsSCB 2925977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW, a lot of hospital counts don’t distinguish between hospitalized WITH Covid or FOR Covid. Omicron is so contagious, and they test every single person who is hospitalized. So some cases are incidental to hospitalization—aka they are hospitalized for an unrelated reason and also turn out to have Covid. The flu shot (which we always get) is also a poor match this year, unfortunately, so that won’t help matters. Anyway, there are many very strong reasons to get vaxxed, or your children vaxxed, aside from potential hospitalization.</p> <p>My child who is old enough is fully vaxxed, I’m vaxxed and boosted, and I strongly encourage vaccination! I just think it’s worth being super clear to avoid even more stress, because I’m sure we’re all anxious enough. Both of my kids had Covid in November and were asymptomatic. Like @Chuckles I was SO worried when they tested positive. But we honestly never would have known if my husband hadn’t gotten sick first (he was patient zero for us). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925975 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:19:08 +0000 Chuckles 2925975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Yes! Our children's hospital in Chicago has a very high rate of covid patients - almost all unvaccinated, either because of age or parent choice. It's really scary. Of course DD, who is 2, tested positive on 12/31. She had diarrhea twice on the 2nd and was a little congested, but she already seems on the mend. But I was honestly pretty anxious after that first day that she woke up with a cough since there's no way to predict what's going to happen. Will it stay mild or will she end up in the hospital? I'll also add that there is evidence that some kids with mild infections are still experiencing long term symptoms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925965 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:19:28 +0000 erinbaderin 2925965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want to hijack this thread or start anything again but if there are people on the fence about vaccines thinking it's mild, especially in children, or just a bad cold I just read that there are currently 38 children under 5 hospitalized in Ontario alone. Please please please once your kids are able to get vaccinated, get them vaccinated, and for those of you anxiously waiting to be eligible my heart is with you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925954 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 10:31:40 +0000 MoonMoon 2925954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: yes good luck to us and especially our little ones!</p> <p>@JJ2626: that is amazing to hear. I've had Pfizer but I'd be happy for baby to get Moderna. Thank you for the link!</p> <p>Edit: yesterday, his first day of daycare, they told us a child in his class had tested positive the previous week so half the class (4 kids) are quarantining. I'm just glad the families test and do the right thing and the daycare center informed us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925949 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 20:48:06 +0000 JJ2626 2925949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So both of my daughter’s preschool teachers have been exposed to covid. One is her partner and kid so pretty sure she will get it. Luckily, DD hasn’t started back yet but now she won’t go for at least a week probably 2. Things are so insane and I live in an 80% vaxxed county. All this to say, this sh*t is nuts and it’s okay to feel sad and overwhelmed. Good news is I really believe this surge will peak in 2ish weeks. Hang in there, all!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925948 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:11:45 +0000 JJ2626 2925948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: @nwm: Yes, that’s exactly it. Moderna used a lower dose for 0-5 than for over 5 so fewer side effects are happening. But they are using a higher dose than Pfizer 0-5, so it’s more effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925947 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:19:47 +0000 nwm 2925947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: oh, very interesting! i sure would be too!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925945 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:50:46 +0000 bhbee 2925945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: an epidemiologist I follow basically said that within the tradeoff of safety and efficacy, Moderna went for higher dosage/efficacy which has more potential safety issues and Pfizer went for higher safety at the expense of a bit of efficacy. This is why Moderna had issues with safety signals that held them back for older kids (too high of a dose), and also probably why Pfizer’s 2-5 trial failed the first time (wasn’t strong enough). So maybe Moderna made a better dosage choice for this age group that worked better? I think some of that is luck and I would be so happy if they got it right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925943 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:45:13 +0000 nwm 2925943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JJ2626: this would be great news! but i thought moderna's 12-17 vaccine had been held up and never approved. does anyone have a good understanding as to why or whether the same factors are likely to delay the moderna approvals for younger ages? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925942 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:32:41 +0000 greencraftycello 2925942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JJ2626: That is great news! My youngest was born in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, this would be a great birthday present. We have been pretty isolated since she is too young to get vaccinated and also to young to wear a mask. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925941 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 00:49:09 +0000 karenbme 2925941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I feel the same about my 2 year old going back tomorrow. My daycare is requesting parents rapid test the kids, but it’s honor system and tests are as hard to find here as they are everywhere else. Fingers crossed for both of us.</p> <p>@JJ2626: Omg this would be great news if it pans out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925940 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 22:29:12 +0000 JJ2626 2925940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Moderna might be approved in Feb for under 5s! <a href="https://www.wsaw.com/2021/12/30/moderna-vaccine-trial-young-children-nears-finish-line/" rel="nofollow">https://www.wsaw.com/2021/12/30/moderna-vaccine-trial-young-children-nears-finish-line/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925939 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 22:17:34 +0000 MoonMoon 2925939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My older child (8) is fully vaccinated. His school was supposed to restart after holiday break tomorrow but the city just announced that schools are closed tomorrow because so many staff have COVID and they could not find enough substitutes. They're distributing at-home tests for all kids instead.</p> <p>My 14 month-old is not vaccinated. Tomorrow is his first day of daycare and I can't help but think I'm sending him into a lion's den. </p> <p>I know most people don't agree with this, but I'm still not ready to accept the risk of my children being infected with this virus, especially without any vaccine protection, and with all the unknowns about its long-term effects. I've done everything I could to protect my family for almost two years while others have gone on as normal. I've been in the ICU and witnessed the pandemic first-hand, and had to begin therapy to cope while others traveled and went to gatherings and ate out etc. And my "reward" is being forced into this no win situation. </p> <p>I'm really stressed out and I hope I'm not doing wrong by my baby.</p> <p>I'm glad this thread exists so I can commiserate with parents who feel similarly. Thank you @karenbme: hopefully a vaccine for this age group within the next few months!</p> <p>Edit: omicron might be mild but that might be because the populations studied have some immunity from vaccines or prior infections. This doesn't pertain to the youngest children and babies, who are being hospitalized at rates not before seen in this pandemic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925937 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 20:04:16 +0000 cake2017 2925937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925936 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 18:59:54 +0000 erinbaderin 2925936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: I genuinely don’t want to argue, but “it’s very mild for children and Omicron is mild overall” is a statement of fact, not an opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925935 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 17:55:07 +0000 cake2017 2925935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I hear you and I am aware of the statistics and real scenarios in the medical field. As I am in the field myself especially during this time. My statement isn’t the norm and i am not against vaccinations I was just sharing my opinion and I don’t need people to agree with me or not…. again sharing my opinion which we should all be able to do! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925934 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 16:48:23 +0000 erinbaderin 2925934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: While it’s true that you can still catch the virus if you’re vaccinated, there’s a lot of evidence that the more vaccinated you are the less likely you’ll be to end up in the hospital. And while it is generally mild for children, there are, according to UNIVEF, more than 12,000 parents of children who have died from covid who would strongly disagree with you. Here in Canada a healthy two month old died a few weeks ago. It might be here to stay but at the moment the system is overwhelmed, doctors and nurses are incredibly stressed and burnt out, and the sheer numbers of people getting sick are about to cause medical professionals to make some tough decisions about who gets to survive. That’s way more than “unfortunate”. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925933 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 16:15:23 +0000 cake2017 2925933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can still catch the virus vaxed or not. Also, it’s very mild for children and Omicron is mild overall. It’s here to stay and it’s unfortunate that there has been a division over people getting vaccinated or not specifically with Covid. I hope you will feel better and get what’s best for your child specifically. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925897 Sun, 26 Dec 2021 14:35:44 +0000 periwinklebee 2925897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: - I'm really sorry, this seems so rough. </p> <p>I have three kids under five and it was definitely a blow. Their daycare has been closed for much of the past month due to quarantines (they test teachers and omicron causing lots of breakthroughs). Every time this happens I have them home for two weeks, in addition to having the concern that they were exposed. They announced they were going to be closed next month and pay teachers because omicron made it too dangerous to operate, then they backtracked to open very partially which upset the staff for obvious reasons - don't tell people it's too dangerous to work and then change your mind. This has made the existing labor shortage untenable and now we are looking at reduced care availability for an indefinite, extended period. My stress level - and that of other parents - is through the roof. We really need a new care arrangement, but it's not easy to find in our area. </p> <p>The vaccine I think would have helped - in addition to obviously offering them some protection. I've resigned myself now to the fact that with how contagious omicron is, they are probably going to get it before they can be fully vaxed, though we are still taking every precaution possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925888 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 10:45:34 +0000 JJ2626 2925888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I was pretty depressed when the news came out. I had mentally planned our year assuming my 3.5 yr old would be vaxxed. We live across the country from our family so it’s been very very hard. We saw them last summer, but that’s it. We are considering moving back if vaxx doesn’t come. But also, I do think omicron will burn through quickly and rates will be back down by March. We are going to re-assess our risk tolerance at that point because, luckily, DD is low risk and I think it may be worth it to open up some, since this could be a new normal. It sucks, though, and I feel for you with a higher risk kid. I’m sorry! If the trial works, I’ve heard we could have vaccines for them in the summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925882 Fri, 24 Dec 2021 10:54:11 +0000 Clementine12 2925882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: the new variant has me nervous too. It's sounding like my oldest will turn 5 before having access. We have 3 people in our circle I am worried about so we haven't stopped making, and luckily our county has a mandate (not enforced, but still...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925881 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 18:58:14 +0000 pachamama 2925881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't care 🤷🏼‍♀️ but my son has no risk factors. I'm pro vax and had my 5 year old vaccinated (only to keep him out of quarantine) but I'm not worried about my 3 year old getting sick. He'll be afforded better protection from getting covid anyway. Especially bc of how mild Omicron is, as is the natural progression. I am a teacher and do not know of one young child who has been even remotely seriously ill from it. Unpopular opinion I'm sure but that's where I am with omicron 🙈. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925879 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 15:21:39 +0000 caitcat 2925879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: Yes, the “everyone who wants a vaccine can get a vaccine” mantra that came along with dropping precautions drives me a little crazy while kids aren’t all eligible yet. Hugs to you with this wave and heightened worries. 💜 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925877 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 13:26:14 +0000 karenbme 2925877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: *hugs* I totally agree that once you’ve seen your kid struggling to breathe in a hospital bed it’s not something that you can forget. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, I just wish people would listen and understand that while kids in aggregate are low risk, every individual kid is not.</p> <p>@caitcat: I totally agree that it feels inevitable now. With the approval for 5 and up I let myself hope that we would get a vaccine for littles before she caught it, but between the trial and omicron I’ve pretty much lost that hope. My governor refuses to put in place restrictions—even mask mandates—because “if you’re worried you can and should get vaccinated” 🙄 daycare has a mask mandate for kids three and up at least.</p> <p>@Lahela017: I’m so sorry your daycare is dropping their mask mandates. Maybe as case rates rise they’ll reassess?</p> <p>@Baby Boy Mom: Thanks I get that the risks overall are fairly low, and that for a lot of people it’s truly just a cold. I’ve done a bunch of reading about her specific risk factors via research done in 2020 and spring-summer 2021 that showed a hospitalization rate of ~10%, which is still fairly low, but much higher than the flu, and we have reason to believe she is higher risk than average for kids that fall under the larger umbrella. There’s a lot of conflicting info right now about severity of Omicron, but nothing saying it’s worse than Delta, so there’s at least that. But to @bhbee’s point, seeing your kid struggling to breathe in a hospital bed sticks with you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925876 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 11:29:56 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2925876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m sorry you’re feeling sad and worried. I wanted to offer two things in case it was helpful. First, our four kids all had it and it was so mild that we wouldn’t have even known it was covid if DH and I hadn’t also gotten sick. (We had typical cough and loss of smell...). But the kids had like the most minor cold. Second is if you are more data driven- look at South Africa. They are saying it is mild! The best advice I can offer is to focus on your own health- eating healthy, getting enough sleep, sunshine, movement, that kind of stuff and try to let go of what is out of your control. I know easier said than done. And I’m just a stranger on the internet but I will send you some strength and positivity and if you believe in that, I think it will help! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925873 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 09:35:24 +0000 Lahela017 2925873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also very disappointed by the news. I have a 2 year old, who is luckily low risk, but I have a lot of anxiety about it. I'm also very worried as masking in my area isn't great, and the preschool type program we go to is going to stop requiring masks in January. I don't understand and am so frustrated. At this point, I'm trying my best to focus on the holidays and we'll just have to figure things out as they come afterwards.</p> <p>I'm so sorry you're having to navigate this all with a higher risk child. I can't imagine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925872 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 08:44:40 +0000 caitcat 2925872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This news sucked, and I agree it feels more daunting with the way omicron is spreading. I'm feeling sad and a little weary while still navigating the pandemic with a kid who is too young to be vaccinated when so many people around me are on the "I'm vaccinated, boosted, and ready to move on whatever it looks like!" train. I was so relieved and grateful when my six year old could get the vaccine, and I was SO ready for that with my four year old too. </p> <p>I'm feeling pretty good about our immediate week ahead with holiday plans since we're staying home and laying low next week. But when my kids go back to school in January, it feels sort of inevitable. For now, I'm trying to just focus on enjoying the holiday and time off of work/school. The omicron spread has evolved so much over the last week, so I'm trying to not think too far ahead because I can't totally anticipate what info I'll be working with in a week as it gets closer to the kids going back to school. </p> <p>But it's hard, and my heart goes out to you with a little one at higher risk. There has been so much good news about vaccines along the way, this delay feels like such a big blow right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925870 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 22:55:54 +0000 bhbee 2925870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh it sucks. We booked a trip to Orlando (our first time there) for my oldest’s 10th bday early next year and were really hoping my 3yo would have a shot or two by then! And now with Omicron flaring I’m not even sure it’ll all go forward despite 4/5 of us vaxxed. </p> <p>We’ve been so careful for the past 2 years but it feels kind of inevitable to me now. Our school district is dropping mandatory masks when they return in January - some will keep wearing, but seems like Omicron will be around for sure. I’m thankful my older two (including my asthma kid) are vaccinated now at least, but expect we could all get a breakthrough case. </p> <p>I’m so sorry for the worry with the risk factors. I worried a lot for my asthma kid - even though I know the data says they’re mostly fine, I have memories of him struggling to breathe (from flu and other viruses exacerbating his asthma), needing the ER, needing to be admitted. And he’s far from what many with chronic conditions face. Sometimes I think that people who won’t take precautions have never watched their child struggle to breathe :bummed: </p> <p>Anyway, my heart goes out to you. I do find it helpful to read someone like My Local Epidemiologist who writes data driven newsletters to help parse what is happening and what the data really says (she also has young children). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925865 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 20:50:01 +0000 karenbme 2925865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to check in with everyone about how you’re responding to the news that the first vaccine trials for 2-5 year olds failed combined with omicron being so much more transmissible. </p> <p>Personally, I’m really struggling. My 2 year old has risk factors for severe disease, and I felt so good about the possibility of keeping her safe until there was a vaccine that could help her. But now I have no idea how long that will be. We can cut out most exposure, but have to keep her in daycare. All the adults (parents and staff) are vaccinated, but even with an 86% vaccine rate, my county has more cases than ever right now. I want to focus on Christmas, but I’m just so distracted by worry. </p>