University of Iowa epidemiologist Eli Perencevich is predicting a difficult fall for Iowa children due to a variety of factors involving COVID-19.
Perencevich said on Twitter that if the FDA was planning on a winter vaccine Emergency Use Authorization, it should have told the CDC prior to the CDC effectively eliminating masks in schools on May 13.
“Going to be painful to watch unvaccinated <12yo without masks suffer through a Delta wave this fall,” he said.
Perencevich warned it isn’t fair to carry forward how well a school or college did during the 2020-21 school year and expect the same results this fall.
“Delta plus anti-masking plus fully in-person schools all contribute to an unfortunate situation for unvaccinated students, especially those under 12 years old,” he wrote.
Perencevich is also downplaying the number of vaccinated individuals who have contracted COVID.
“I know many dozens of friends, family and colleagues, all fully vaccinated, who don’t have COVID,” he wrote. “Remember the denominator. With 161 million vaccinated (US), focusing on a few mostly mildly ill folks isn’t too helpful. But wear masks if you’re concerned as no vaccine is perfect.”
FDA officials said on Thursday Emergency Authorization for COVID-19 vaccinations in children under 12 could come in early to midwinter.
“Wonder why FDA just announced delayed full approval for mRNA vaccines and delayed EUA for under 12 years old,” Perencevich said. “If they approve them sooner, it’ll appear like they’re rushing. What’s going on at FDA?”
