As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact health and safety, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) will continue to develop resources and curate information to support pediatric nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, other pediatric providers and patient families.
White House/HHS Summit
We Can Do This Summit: Conversations on Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccinations is a virtual Summit featuring conversations among leading health care professionals, parents and community leaders about COVID vaccines.
20:53– 53:33 – First panel: Don’t let COVID get in the way: Getting Children 5-11 Vaccinated, includes NAPNAP President Dr. Andrea Kline-Tilford
COVID Immunization Guidance Children 5-11 Years Old
Resources Related to Children 5-11 Immunization
- Clinical Considerations for providers – CDC
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) for providers – cosponsored by FDA and CDC
- V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker for patient families – CDC
- Clinician-focused data slides – CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA)
- Medical Updates & Immunization Site Training for All Healthcare Providers daily online sessions – Pfizer Vaccines US Medical Affairs
Resources Related to Children 6 months to 5 years Immunization
- What Providers Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines for Younger Children – Developed by NAPNAP’s Immunization SIG
- What Providers Need to Know about COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters for Younger Children – Developed by NAPNAP’s Immunization SIG
Additional News Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines for Adolescent Patients
To help you increase COVID-19 immunization rates in your practice and community, NAPNAP has developed a series of short videos to provide you with tools to effectively communicate with patient families about vaccine safety and efficacy, co-administering vaccines, vaccines for adolescents who have had COVID and vaccine hesitant families. Watch each video below or share the playlist with your colleagues.
NAPNAP Statements on COVID-19
Official statement on COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5-11 years
Official statement on partnering with families and schools to promote safe return to in-person education
Download our templated letter for HCPs to send to local officials advocating for evidence-based mitigation strategies.
Download our templated letter for parents/caregivers to send to local officials advocating for evidence-based mitigation strategies.
Official statement calling for timely, efficient and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for children
Health Policy brief on Children’s Hospitals and Impact of COVID-19 – published in Journal of Pediatric Health Care
Association update on Government Relief Funds for Medicaid and CHIP Providers
Statement on Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19 Infection
TeamPeds Experts Live, Town Hall and Webinars
Watch on-demand:
Exploring the COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Approval Process for Adolescents webinar, hosted by the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project
NAPNAP Child Health Policy Learning Collaborative telehealth webinar
Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Experiences During COVID-19 TeamPeds Town Hall
Help Immunize in Your Community
As the vaccine supply increases, volunteers are needed to immunize people in communities across the country. Learn how you can volunteer in your state.
Provider Resources
COVID-19 Communications: Promoting Prevention Measures and Vaccine Confidence – NFID
Strategies For Building Covid-19 Vaccine Confidence – The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine
What Every Clinician Should Know about COVID-19 Vaccine Safety – CDC Dec. 14
Healthcare Professionals: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination – CDC
Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Clinical Considerations – CDC Dec. 12
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine FAQ
Q: Can someone who is COVID positive get their influenza vaccine?
A: Yes, once their 10 day isolation is complete so that there isn’t unnecessary exposure to health care providers
Q: Is there a recommendation regarding how soon after a COVID-19 positive test should a person receive the influenza or other vaccine?
A: CDC recently addressed this on a call stating that patients who tested positive for COVID-19 should wait until they are finished with their isolation period to get their flu shot so as to not expose healthcare workers. However, once they are off isolation, they can get a flu shot then.
Q: Can you discuss the optimal time to get the flu vaccine for maximum coverage throughout the flu season?
A: Sooner in the season is better. The goal is for everyone to have theirs no later than the end of October.
- Back-to-school Safety During COVID-19: Tips for Families, Guardians and Caretakers. Fact sheet provided by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and the National Association of School Nurses.
- Unique needs of adolescents and young adults in the national response to COVID-19 – video for providers and policy makers by Center for Latino and Adolescent Family Health (NYU).
- Many Masks video – video for kids regarding the importance of wearing a mask produced by the University of Miami
- Child health equity has been impacted by the pandemic. Check out our newest resource page for content and free continuing education on improving child health equity for all children.
- Children and COVID state data – curated by Children’s Hospital Association and American Academy of Pediatrics
- Dr. Donna Hallas recommended pediatric providers watch for dermatologic conditions published online in Contemporary Pediatrics on Sept. 21
- Dr. Donna Hallas discussed MIS-C cases in children since the pandemic in Contemporary Pediatrics on May 26.
- Dr. Donna Hallas remarked on the continued threat of COVID-19 in Contemporary Pediatrics on April 23.
- Dr. Donna Hallas shared her perspective on pediatric and provider issues related to COVID-19 published online in Contemporary Pediatrics on March 23.
- COVID-19 in Children: Initial Characterization of the Pediatric Disease – pre-publication article that has been peer-reviewed for publication in Pediatrics.
- Vaccinate Your Family – Talking to People About Vaccines During COVID-19
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Children – What Pediatric Health Care Clinicians Need to Know – JAMA Pediatrics
- Watch Sigma’s webinar on communication tips for supporting seriously ill patients, families, and communities.
- CDC information for pediatric healthcare providers, including maintaining childhood immunizations.
- CDC immunization catch-up schedule
- CDC information for clinicians caring for children and pregnant women.
- Lurie Children’s Hospital pandemic care guidelines.
- Children’s Hospital Association recommendations and resources focused on acute care issues.
- School-Located Vaccination: School Nursing Planning Checklist – National Association of School Nurses (NASN) & Association of Immunization Managers (AIM)
- School-Located Vaccination: Clinics in the Context of COVID-19 – A tips sheet for immunization programs – NASN & AIM
- NASN partnered with Kaiser Foundation to create a SLV checklist toolkit. It was updated to reflect the addition of 5–11 year-old children.
- Considerations for Planning School-Located Vaccination Clinics – CDC
- Guide to On-Site Vaccination Clinics for School – WECANDOTHIS.HHS.GOV
- Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs overview of available programs.
- National Immigration Law Center FAQs related to COVID-19
- CDC general guidance and frequently asked questions for healthcare providers about the coronavirus.
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses “COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS and Ventilator Resources” education module.
- Healio Q&A: Interim protocols for COVID-19 in primary care.
- The Joint Commission FAQs about granting privileges during a disaster.
- HHS has announced that HIPAA requirements for security will not be enforced against regulated professionals during the COVID-19 response, but the use of secure telecommunication methods remains well-advised and appropriate. Read more.
- OpenWHO.org, a new interactive, web-based, knowledge-transfer platform offering online courses to improve the response to health emergencies from WHO.
- NIMH resources for coping with stress and mental health during pandemic.
- NPR COVID tracker by state.
- NPR hospital capacity tracker.
- HHS telehealth website includes information about telehealth options, work flows, policy changes in light of COVID-19, billing and reimbursement.
- CMS State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit
- Center for Connected Health Policy COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies, state actions.
- AAP Guidance on Providing Pediatric Ambulatory Services via Telehealth During COVID-19
- AAP Supporting Pediatric Research on Outcomes and Utilization of Telehealth (SPROUT) – COVID-19 discussion.
- AAP Telehealth Care resources.
- American Academy of Nurse Entrepreneurs telehealth video series – part 1, part 2 and part 3.
- The Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) Program’s COVID-19 Oral Health Resource Kit – available under the oral health section of our clinical practice resources page.
- Printable “Symptoms of the Coronavirus” poster from the CDC. Also available in Spanish and simplified Chinese.
- The Joint Commission – Promoting psychosocial well-being of health care staff during crisis
- National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience including case studies, resources and publications.
- Coping and Emotional Health during COVID-19
- ANA’s The Well-being Initiative
- Staying Sane and Current on COVID-19 — Advice and resources, by specialty, for those caring for patients
- Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel during Coronavirus and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
- COVID-19 Exposes the Cracks in Our Already Fragile Mental Health System – American Journal of Public Health
- COVID-19 and mental health: Self-care for nursing staff – Nurses Service Organization
- Masks and PPE: COVID-19 and the Next Pandemic webinar from GWU’s Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement.
- Watch step by step video on updated guidelines for donning and doffing PPE from Rush University.
- FDA guidance on mitigation strategies for ventilator shortages.
- CDC strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators.
- World Health Organization (WHO) rational use of personal protective equipment for COVID-19.
- CDC optimization strategies for healthcare personal protective equipment.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing has FAQs for deans, faculty and students. This site will continue to update responses as needed.
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties’ (NONPF) resources for clinical replacement. Please note educators are responsible for selecting and vetting resources to meet objectives.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s COVID-19 Response Webinar Series offers live and recorded webinars focused on faculty and student topics.
- National Student Nurses Association’s Guidance for Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Resources to Share with Families
- The Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health video by NAPNAP member Christina Cwynar, DNP, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC
- How to Talk to Your Children about the Coronavirus and Ease their Anxiety – Article by NAPNAP member and NAPNAP’s Practical Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Screening, Early Intervention, and Health Promotion author Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN.
- Information for Parents about Anxiety in Children and Teens
- Information for Parents on How to Help Your Child/Teen Cope with Stressful Events or Uncertainty
- Information for Teens and School-Age Children about Stress and Anxiety
- CDC frequently asked questions about the coronavirus and children.
- CDC environmental cleaning and disinfecting recommendations.
- CDC Coronavirus guidance for school settings.
What is the COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
COVID-19, or coronavirus, is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
How does the COVID-19 spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for up-to-date information.
What are severe complications from this virus?
Some patients have pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ failure and in some cases death.
Is there a vaccine/treatment?
The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for three COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen. Pfizer-BioNTech has been authorized for individuals 12 years of age or older while Moderna and Janssen has been authorized for individuals 18 years of age or older. The best way to prevent infection is to take everyday preventive actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and washing your hands often. There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.
CDC’s recommendations for protecting yourself and others include: frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your face; avoid close personal contact with others; and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue or your inside of your elbow.
- Safe Kids Worldwide – tips while children are at home during COVID-19
- Internet Safety 101 for kids working and playing online
- Talking to Kids About COVID-19 – MedPage Today
What is the difference between an antigen test and a PCR test?
An antigen test looks for parts of the outside of the virus while a PCR test looks for part of the genetic material. This matters because if a test finds the COVID-19 genetic material, we can be more sure that it is really COVID-19. Antigen tests are not as accurate and need to be used carefully in certain circumstances.
Are there any antibody tests that are reliable? In what situation would it be appropriate to use one?
Antibody tests look for a immune system reaction to the virus. None of them are perfect. They cannot necessarily tell you for sure that you are immune to the virus or that you have never had the virus. Right now, antibody tests are most useful for looking at large groups of people and seeing if they have had many cases that were missed, but they are not very useful for individuals to make decisions about their own health.
Members in the Media
Several NAPNAP experts responded to media and stakeholder questions in print and digital interviews.
- STAT: The fine print: Understanding the new policy authorizing extra Covid vaccine doses for the immunocompromised – Aug. 15, 2021
- Contemporary Clinic: The Impact of COVID-19 On Pediatric Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Workforces – June 23, 2021
- Clinical Advisor: School-Based Health Care Centers Pivoted to Telehealth During COVID-19 – May 27, 2021
- Hematology Advisor: Strategies for Minimizing Vaccination Pain in Children – May 14, 2021
- Clinical Advisor: Children’s Physical Activity Plummeted During COVID-19 – March 26, 2021
- Contemporary Clinic: COVID-19 Vaccines and the Younger Population – Jan. 27, 2021
- PopHealth Perspectives: How I Practice Now: Perspectives From a Nurse on the Frontlines – April 7, 2020
- Newsise: COVID-19 Testing, Drug Discovery, Infectiousness, and more: Press Conference – April 2, 2020
- HuffPost – March 31, 2020
- Mashable – March 31, 2020
- WGEM News (Illinois) Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – April 2, 2020
This page contains content from a variety of sources. NAPNAP may be a distributor of content, not a publisher or author. Accordingly, any opinions, advice, statements, or other information expressed by any third parties are those of the respective author or publisher, not NAPNAP. NAPNAP is not responsible for the content, including the accuracy thereof.
