With contagious, new omicron sub-variant rising, only 2% of children under 5 in NC have gotten COVID vaccine

Kids as young as 6 months old are now eligible for a shot. However, WRAL Data Trackers are finding out, very few parents are taking advantage.

In the two weeks since young children became eligible, about 11,000 kids have been gotten a first shot. That’s just 2% of kids in that age group.

Only 29% of North Carolinians under 18 have been vaccinated, compared to 77% of adults.

With a contagious new variant spreading, doctors are stressing vaccination.

The new variant, called BA.5, is a highly contagious sub-variant of omicron that now makes up nearly 40% of COVID cases in North Carolina. It’s just one more reason why doctors are encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated.

Working at Cornerstone Pediatrics, Dr. Matthew Baldwin’s goal is to put parents at ease about vaccinating their young kids

“I think a lot of them ask, ‘Hey, if my kid has already had COVID, should they be getting the shot?’ I think the answer to that is still yes," he said.

However, some parents, like Subsiksha Santha, are still hesitant. She's waiting a few more months until her daughter turns 2.

“If they will go through some kind of fever or the side effects that come with the vaccine, that’s the first thing that goes through our mind," she said.

Baldwin believes the BA.5 has led to an increase in pediatric cases in the last week.

"BA.5 is a nasty variant. I think it’s going to start to infect more people. We are going to see more reinfections even with people who might have had omicron," he said.

The vaccine for young kids is a much lower dose. Baldwin says side effects are minimal.

The Pfizer vaccine is three shots. Moderna is two. He says both offer much needed protection ahead of a new school year and a potential summer surge.

"Our goal is not really to prevent symptomatic infection. It’s to prevent serious complications from infection, hospitalizations, heart issues and things of the like, and I think they will both do a good job with that," he said.

Cornerstone Pediatrics will have a drive-thru style vaccine clinic on Saturday, July 9 from 8:30 a.m.-2:0 p.m. Those interest should call the office at (919) 460-0993.​