- The BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is of growing concern due to the fact that it can spread more easily.
- In January, the number of children under five being hospitalized due to Omicron was five times greater than it was during the peak of the Delta variant.
- Unvaccinated children remain at the greatest risk from the BA.2 subvariant.
- Experts say that vaccinations are the best way to keep children safe.
- Measures like social distancing, handwashing and masking are still important as well.
On February 22, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a
This report stated that the BA.2 subvariant should continue to be classified as a “variant of concern.”
According to S. Wesley Long, MD, PhD, a researcher at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, this subvariant is more contagious than the BA.1 variant of Omicron, which itself is very contagious.
Previously, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had
At this point in time, children under five are not approved to receive any of the available
Given the past number of hospitalizations of children under five, should parents be concerned about the more contagious BA.2 subvariant? How much of a risk does it present to children? And what can parents do to keep their children safe?
Medical experts say one thing to keep in mind about the BA.2 subvariant is that it isn’t completely new.
Long said, “It’s a variant which arose around the same time as BA.1 Omicron – what most people have been calling just “Omicron” the past few months.”
What’s really changed is that BA.2 is now taking over a greater proportion of cases, likely due to the fact that it spreads more easily and quickly than BA.1. This, in turn, is fueling an increasing number of cases around the globe.
“The extent of the increase in cases driven by BA.2 remains to be seen,” said Long.
As far as the risk to children from the BA.2 subvariant, Dr. James Campbell, MS, Professor of Pediatrics in the Center of Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine said, “It likely continues to pose similar risks as BA.1, but it will take time to know definitively.”
Mark Cameron, PhD, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, added, “Any unvaccinated individual risks a moderate to severe course of COVID-19, even children, especially if they have other health issues.
Cameron said that even a mild course of COVID-19 can cause fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, which can be tough on children.
MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome) is also a concern, he said.
This rare condition involves inflammation in various body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. It has been associated with COVID-19 infections and can be serious or even deadly.
“Lastly, we’re learning how long some of the effects of the illness can linger as long-haul COVID-19,” said Cameron.
The experts we spoke with both agreed that it is important to continue to do what we have been doing throughout the pandemic in order to keep kids as safe as possible from this particular variant.
“It is a combination of vaccination and the same simple interventions we have recommended all along: distancing, masks, avoiding sick persons, washing hands, etc.,” said Campbell.
Antibodies that were gained from either a previous case of COVID-19 or from vaccination, both offer some protection against the virus, according to Campbell.
However, he pointed out that it’s difficult to estimate just how strong protection is for those kids who have recovered from previously developing COVID-19 and remain unvaccinated, compared to those who have been vaccinated.
“Vaccination protects best against severe disease (hospitalization, intensive care admission, intubation, ECMO, and death),” said Campbell, “but also protects against mild and moderate disease, just not as well.”
Long agreed that vaccinations for children five and older are the best option to keep them safe.
“The COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective, and are our best method to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death, as well as complications such as MIS-C in children.”
Cameron added that it’s important that everyone participates in limiting risk to the community at large.
“Each time we release most of our basic public health precautions, the conditions align for a new surge,” he said.
“To protect our most vulnerable, particularly our youngest children, older adults, and people with other health issues, get vaccinated and boosted if you’re eligible.”
Cameron also pointed out that continuing to wear masks offers another layer of protection.
Cameron further recommends that people monitor local infection rates, test often, and seek a doctor’s advice if they or their children develop COVID-19.
