Nationwide, pediatric COVID-19 cases are spiking because more kids are getting sick from the delta and omicron variants.
One of the most vulnerable groups right now is kids under five, but doctors say that may soon change.
Dr. Bill Hartman, principal investigator for the COVID-19 vaccine trial at UW Health said, "Kids are a major conduit for this virus and they can spread it on to other family members."
So while children are on winter break, some Wisconsin hospital systems say they're bracing for a surge in COVID-19 cases.
"We are expecting to see an increase as the number of kids testing positive for COVID-19 and influenza are increasing in the community," said Michael Gutzeit, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Children’s Wisconsin Hospital.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reported a 50% percent increase, since the beginning of December, in COVID-19 cases among kids.
Doctors said pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations in Wisconsin have remained stable and vaccination remains the best protection against the virus and any variants.
"We're trying to keep our communities as virus-free as possible and as safe as possible. So when these vaccines are available, we should make sure that we get them into the arms and legs of our children," said Dr. Hartman.
Dr. Hartman also says because kids have a strong immune system, the current vaccine series should sustain them as doctors determine the necessity of a pediatric COVID-19 booster shot.
"The original vaccine series to this point continues to be very strong in kids and the immunity that kids have is very, very good. So we're hoping that moving forward, kids don't need a booster or at least as often as what adults have," said Dr. Hartman.
Kids under five remain ineligible to be vaccinated making them highly susceptible to COVID-19 but a vaccine for this group may soon be available.
"It should be arriving within the first couple of months of 2022. The trials themselves have been going very well," said Dr. Hartman.
Dr. Hartman hopes to receive emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine for kids six months to five years old sometime in February or March.
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