What's causing the rash on my child's face? Fifth disease is also known as “slapped cheek” because it’s marked by a distinctive rash that causes red, splotchy cheeks.

Dr. Mandie Svatek, a pediatric specialist at University Hospital, answered some commonly asked questions about the vaccine for children age 5 and under.

As the FDA is expected to soon authorize COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11, Dr. Mandie Svatek, a pediatric specialist with University Health, provides some insight.

As the Food and Drug Administration moves toward authorizing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between ages five and 11, University Health Dr. Mandie Svatek broke down some common concerns parents might have about the shot.

University Health has announced that it will offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12-15 just as the state health department advised providers to release the shots to the age group.

University Health System Pediatrician Dr. Mandie Svatek has answered questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and what it means for children, including how kids have responded to the vaccine so far, her own daughter’s experience in a drug trial and when even younger children may become eligible for the shot.

COVID-19 has not affected children as much as adults, but it has made some kids very sick, according to University Health.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio child advocacy group is stressing the importance of child abuse awareness after police saved a severely emaciated 9-year-old girl from a couple this past week. “My 5-year-old son, who was premature and is small for his age, is 35 pounds -- not a 9-year-old girl,” Anderson said. “A 9-year-old girl should not be 35 pounds.”Dr. Mandie Svatek, a pediatrician with UT Health San Antonio, agrees. San Antonio police said Lakendra Williams, the girl’s mother, called 911 and told dispatchers that the child had passed out and was cold to the touch. Child Abuse CasesIf you or someone you know is dealing with child abuse, follow the links below for resources:REPORT CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT TO THE STATE BY CLICKING HERE.

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: This content was created exclusively for KSAT Explains, a weekly streaming show that dives deep into the biggest issues facing San Antonio and South Texas. That’s because they weren’t included in the initial clinical trials. Pfizer included children in some later trials and Moderna announced in December they would begin to incorporate children over the age of 12 in its clinical trials. “It’s good that they are testing children 12 and above. MORE: Coronavirus and kids: San Antonio epidemiologist breaks down risks, school safety

SAN ANTONIO Its still too early to say definitively, but it appears children under the age of 10 dont transmit COVID-19 as easily as adults. I wish that we had substantial studies that absolutely told you one way or another. Local pediatricians weigh in on new CDC school guidelinesAs for middle school students, they appear to transmit it as much as adults, Svatek said. But if theyre practicing the appropriate measures, then they can be protected, she said. Svatek is part of the coalition that is working on creating a plan to reopen schools safely.

SAN ANTONIO San Antonio health experts are encouraging residents to avoid large gatherings during the upcoming holiday and to rethink how they would want to spend their summer vacations. This concern comes after the increase of positive COVID-19 cases after Memorial Day weekend when the state was reopening. We started seeing people getting out, said Dr. Mandie Svatek with UT Health San Antonio. They were having large social gatherings. If we do the same we did for Memorial Day in which we had large group gatherings, we are going to continue to see an uprise in cases, Svatek said.