[thatsamonad]

One thing I’m curious about and on which I haven’t been able to find any good data/information is whether the drop in vaccine efficacy is a function of time since last dose (i.e. due to waning over time) or whether the third dose drives up total antibody or T-cell activity and/or broadens the immune response which leads to it being more effective against Omicron.

My spouse and I have both had boosters but my child has only had two doses because they only recently authorized use for children ages 5-11. I think my spouse and I are fairly well protected but it’s uncertain if my child is well protected or not given the timing of everything.

[SkyPuncher]

We have a 1 year old. We try to avoid intentional exposure, but the knowledge I have indicates COVID is no more of a threat for children than many other viruses. Flu, RSV, etc all have similar risk profiles in young kids. As such, we approach COVID the same way we approach many other things.

Wash hands, avoid known sick people, monitor conditions, avoid known bad situations.

We are avoid daycare facilities for now since that would introduce a many-to-many situation where an outbreak is inevitable.

[johnisgood]

I am not updated on this, but is COVID-19 much of a concern when it comes to your child, especially after having received two vaccines already?

[thatsamonad]

Fair question. My general understanding is that the risk is very low for children, especially when it comes to severe disease and/or death (though there are still some questions about long-term effects), and even more so now that they have been fully vaccinated with two doses.

I’m mostly just curious if we’ll see booster recommendations for children as we have for adults and if the efficacy impact of Omicron is due to time or something inherent to the two-dose vs three-dose mechanisms at play.

And generally as a parent I’d prefer to see my child not get sick at all, though I know that’s basically unavoidable. That being said, I like to understand what the risks involved are if possible.

[Loic]

3 boys at home, all with a COVID-19 infection last December. The one already after the puberty got long COVID, the one "in the start of puberty" had only mild long COVID and the youngest one (7) was asymptomatic.

Some friends noticed also this puberty "cut". But statistically, I cannot tell if this is significant or not, because you never have the information "12 good in puberty" or "11 no signs of puberty yet".

[pygy_]

I'm in a similar position: I've had three mRNA doses, vaccines here may start to be available to my children next week

I wouldn't want them to be the weak link, but having them partially immunized during a delta/omicron peak may be sub-optimal...

Any data/analysis on the subject would be welcome

[jlokier]

No scientific data unfortunately, but this BBC article explains that even though it's the same substance each time, the effect develops further over multiple doses, and goes on to describe what that means using metaphors.

BBC News - Omicron: Why do boosters work if two doses struggle? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59639973

Excerpt:

"Fortunately for us - while the contents of the syringe may be identical, a booster is not just more of the same for the immune system.

The protection you're left with after the third dose is bigger, broader and more memorable than you had before."