The Pulse - Risky Play | BC Children's Hospital Foundation

The Pulse: Risky Play

June 28, 2020

“Be careful!” “Don’t fall!” “Watch out!” As a parent, grandparent or caregiver to young children, you have likely said these phrases many, many times.

Did you know? Only 39 per cent of five to 17 year olds are reaching their recommended physical activity levels. Over the years, as children have increasingly played in more controlled, indoor environments, there have been fewer chances for them to stretch their imaginations and physical limits in healthy and creative ways.

With summer around the corner, children across BC will have more opportunities to head out and create new adventures. This session of The Pulse, led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Investigator at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, dives into the concept of “risky play” and how this type of play in outdoor settings can benefit a child’s social, physical, and emotional development.

See below to watch a recording of the Pulse.

Resources

Outside Play: https://outsideplay.ca/

Brussoni Lab: https://brussonilab.ca/

Please note, if your question was specific to your child or family, please reach out to your medical team or family physician directly.

Resources

Vaccine Safety To what degree can I safely socialize my children without isolating them from the normal social interaction that they need? What is too much when it comes to placing our children into situations (like playground, indoor play places, community sports programs, etc.) that pose a risk of COVID-19 contraction?

We recommend everyone to follow the public health guidance which is updated regularly. See here for more information: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/more/health-features/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Are there any specific illnesses or conditions that contraindicate children getting the vaccine?

For more information on specific illnesses/conditions, please see pages 4 and 5 in this document: http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Epid/CD%20Manual/Chapter%202%20-%20Imms/Part4/COVID-19_mRNA_Vaccine_Comirnaty_Pediatric.pdf

Could a third dose of vaccine increase the risk of myocarditis in teenagers or children?

There is currently no data to suggest that is the case, but a relatively small number of adolescents and young children have received 3 doses using the extended interval schedule.

Vaccines and Side Effects What are the side effects and risks associated with taking the vaccine for children that have chronic conditions such as severe allergies (e.g. anaphylactic peanut allergy), asthma, or autoimmune disorders – and is it safe for a child to take the vaccine if they have these types of conditions?

To learn more about the side effects and/or risks of the vaccine for children with specific conditions or allergies, please refer to pages 4 and 5 of this document: http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Epid/CD%20Manual/Chapter%202%20-%20Imms/Part4/COVID-19_mRNA_Vaccine_Comirnaty_Pediatric.pdf

Is there any concern or indication that the vaccine will have an impact on children’s reproductive systems?

There is no evidence to suggest that and no plausible biological mechanism by which that would occur.

Could the vaccine have an impact on children’s nervous systems?

There are some short-term side effects which in general terms affect the nervous system, such as headache. Rare cases of ‘nerve system’ disorders have been reported with mRNA vaccines in adults (such as facial paralysis/Bell’s palsy). For more information, please refer to this document: http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Epid/CD%20Manual/Chapter%202%20-%20Imms/Part4/COVID-19_mRNA_Vaccine_Comirnaty_Pediatric.pdf

Is there a possibility that the vaccine might have long-term effects on developing bodies?

There is no evidence to suggest that and no plausible biological mechanism by which that would occur.

Other Has there been any specific research at BCCH or other respected children’s hospitals on the effect of Covid-19 and the various Covid-19 strains on children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D)? If so, does the research demonstrate higher risks and more challenging outcomes?

Data collected at BCCH and across Canada so far have not identified T1D as a specific risk factor for worse outcomes with COVID-19. The most consistent finding from multiple studies indicates that the presence of multiple co-morbidities is the most significant risk of more severe disease. For more information, please visit the following resource:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34580141/

What is the efficacy of the vaccine on Omicron and its sub-variants?

Short term (2-3 months) effectiveness in adults who have had at least 2 doses plus a booster of an mRNA vaccine is ~60% against any symptomatic infection and ~90% against hospitalization. We do not have vaccine effectiveness data specifically for children.

There have been varying recommendations worldwide regarding how many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine kids need. Do kids need two doses?

Yes – current recommendations for children 5 years and older are 2 doses for most individuals and 3 doses for those with moderate to severe immunosuppression, plus a booster recommended for some. For more information, please see here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci.html

Do children develop the same relative number of neutralizing antibodies and T-/B-cells after COVID-19 vaccinations as adults?

Antibody responses in children aged 5-11 years old receiving 1/3 dose was similar to young adults receiving full dose.

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