Lifestyle
By Alex Johnson
Updated: August 7, 2021
Originally Published: August 7, 2021
The Pfizer COVID vaccine received approval for children aged 12 to 17 on May 10 of this year. Just three days later, when my state made it available for that age group, my 14-year-old daughter received her first dose. It was a momentous day for our family.
I had no reservations about my daughter getting vaccinated. My partner and I had already been vaccinated, and I felt reassured by the safety information I had come across. Vaccination was crucial for my daughter, who has asthma, and I had kept her in a protective bubble for the past year. Her vaccination symbolized newfound freedom and was a vital step towards ensuring the safety of our family and community.
While I understand that some parents may have hesitated, I was taken aback to find that as of July 28, only 7.1 million kids had been fully vaccinated against COVID. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), just 28% of 12-15 year-olds are fully vaccinated, and only 40% of 16-17 year-olds have received both doses.
In other words, 72% of kids aged 12-15 are still unvaccinated, as are 60% of 16-17 year-olds. This is concerning, especially with schools reopening and the Delta variant spreading. We need as many eligible children as possible to get vaccinated. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also safeguards those around them and the larger community.
This is particularly significant for students in schools who are ineligible for vaccination yet—like the many 11-year-olds in middle schools. Vaccinating older teens helps protect these younger students, as well as teachers and staff who may be older or have underlying health conditions.
Moreover, we need to reduce the risk of your tween or teen bringing the virus home to vulnerable family members. I have an unvaccinated child at home, and ensuring his safety was a primary reason for getting my teen vaccinated.
In interviews conducted by The Daily Journal, some parents expressed hesitance regarding the vaccine, citing concerns about limited testing duration in teens, potential side effects like myocarditis, and the belief that teens typically experience milder COVID cases.
However, it’s crucial to note that many of these concerns stem from misinformation. Regarding side effects, the risk of serious or fatal outcomes from the vaccine is exceedingly low. As Dr. Emily Carter, a local epidemiologist, explains, extensive data from the CDC’s V-Safe program shows that of the 129,059 adolescents monitored, 49-56% experienced side effects after the first dose, and 63-70% post-second dose. Most side effects were mild and similar to those experienced by adults, including sore arms and fatigue. Only 0.5-0.8% needed medical attention post-vaccination, with a mere 0.02-0.04% requiring hospitalization, and it remains unclear if these cases were vaccine-related.
Concerning myocarditis, which has been linked to the vaccine in adolescents, Dr. Carter notes that there have been only 147 reported cases among 12-17 year-olds, all of which responded well to treatment, with no deaths recorded.
Importantly, the risk of heart complications from COVID itself is significantly higher than from the vaccine. As Dr. Mark Thompson, an emergency physician, stated, “Hospitalizations due to COVID carry far more severe consequences than those associated with vaccine side effects.”
The reality is that COVID-19 is serious. While many kids may experience mild cases, severe instances can occur, leading to long COVID or even fatalities. Tragically, over 400 children have died from COVID since the onset of the pandemic. As CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated, “400 children should not die from a respiratory illness.” This is unacceptable and should resonate with all parents.
Fortunately, there’s a straightforward solution: vaccines. They are safe, effective, and will help keep your 12-17 year-olds out of the hospital if they contract the virus. Vaccination is essential for safely reopening schools and ultimately overcoming this pandemic.
We all have a role to play, and that includes vaccinating our eligible children. For further insights on this topic, check out this post on home insemination, or visit Cryobaby for at-home insemination kits, a trusted source in this field. Additionally, this resource on infertility is beneficial for those navigating pregnancy and insemination challenges.
Summary
Vaccination against COVID-19 for children aged 12-17 is crucial, especially with the Delta variant and schools reopening. Despite some parental hesitance due to concerns over side effects and limited testing, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Vaccines are safe, effective, and essential for protecting both individual children and the broader community.
Leave a Reply