For parents of children between the ages of 5 and 11, the announcement that the COVID vaccine is now available has brought an immense sense of relief. This journey to this point has been lengthy, with many families waiting for this moment with bated breath. Over the past 20 months, parents have had to make tough decisions about how to navigate an ever-changing world, particularly those of us who are already vaccinated or have older children who have received their shots.
Take, for example, my ten-year-old daughter. For her, the anxiety has been palpable. Due to her asthma, we’ve been especially concerned about the potential impact of COVID on her health. I was honestly quite frightened. When my partner and I got vaccinated last spring, she expressed disappointment about not being able to join us. And let’s face it, she’s not a fan of needles.
Living in California, specifically in Los Angeles, I felt relatively secure sending her back to school in person. However, we did experience a COVID scare just a few weeks after the school year began when a classmate tested positive, leading to a 10-day quarantine for her classroom. It was incredibly stressful, but thanks to Governor Newsom’s proactive measures regarding school safety, we felt reassured. With a mask mandate already in place and mandatory weekly testing, I knew she was in a safe environment. My daughter has even become quite adept at self-administering the tests!
To say I was anxiously awaiting the approval of the COVID vaccine for elementary-aged children would be an understatement. The past couple of weeks felt like an eternity as I anticipated the announcement. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw a friend share that the CDC had approved the vaccine, and rushed to our public health website for updates. Unfortunately, there was no information available yet.
After seeing another friend post about getting vaccinated at a local pharmacy, I decided to check our options. Although they were in New York, I thought it was worth a try. Within ten minutes, I secured an appointment for my daughter on November 8th. Tears filled my eyes. After more than a year and a half, I could finally envision a path forward. As the day went on, my social media was flooded with friends expressing their joy and relief about finally being able to vaccinate their 5 to 11-year-olds. Here are just a few of the sentiments shared.
Eager to Get Vaccinated
“My sons (10, 6) have appointments scheduled for Saturday, November 6th. I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep because I was so thrilled to get them on the schedule,” remarked Emily T.
“My children (11, 9) have their first doses lined up for November 4th,” shared Michael R.
“I woke up early to book appointments and honestly started crying when I received the confirmation emails,” said Sarah J., mother to two daughters, aged 10 and 6.
Relief at Last
“I’m overjoyed. My youngest has been eagerly waiting for indoor playdates, and I believe kids, despite being asymptomatic, play a significant role in transmission. I was hoping to schedule through our health provider but may opt for the local pharmacy,” said Claire B.
“After what feels like an eternity, I’m overwhelmed with relief and a bit anxious about the immune responses. Being vaccinated myself and having my booster has made me feel guilty that I couldn’t offer my kids (10 and 7) the same protection until now. It’s reassuring to know they understand the science behind the vaccine,” shared Lisa M., who also has a newly 12-year-old son who just got his first shot.
“We’ve been extremely cautious since the pandemic began; my son (8) didn’t interact with any other kids for nearly a year. Now, I feel like we can finally explore more of the world together and travel a bit more. We’ll still wear masks in crowded places, but the burden feels lighter now,” said Jessica F.
“My kids (10, 9) are all set, and we’re all visibly relieved to be getting this added protection, even if they are scared of needles!” remarked Tara H.
Pure Joy
“I booked appointments for my 8 and 11-year-olds first thing this morning as soon as I heard they were available. I can’t wait for them to get vaccinated. We’ve been so careful, and I’m relieved to have this extra layer of safety. It has been an exhausting and stressful two years trying to keep my kids safe; I want to jump for joy now that we’ve reached this milestone. My kids are nervous about the shots, but my 11-year-old cried tears of joy when I told her it was time,” exclaimed Amanda K.
“Only excitement here! Honestly, I could burst into tears. This is a step forward. Living in a state of constant anxiety for the past 20 months has been exhausting. I’m cautiously optimistic but thrilled,” added Sophia L., mother to a 7-year-old.
Eagerly Awaiting Their Turn
“I’m thrilled to sign up my son. His pediatrician won’t have the vaccine for another two weeks, but I’m checking the Facebook page daily for updates. He has type one diabetes, which means he’s at a higher risk if he contracts COVID, so we’ve been waiting for this day. I couldn’t be more relieved,” said Jenna P.
“Excited but STRESSED. Our pediatrician is organizing drive-thru clinics and they’re confident there will be enough slots and vaccines for all patients. But when they opened registration yesterday, I started at #6800 in line and have been waiting 24 hours for my number to be called. I feel like I can’t look away or I’ll miss my chance. It feels like a race for the vaccine,” expressed Liz R., mom to a daughter, age 9.
While we know that we’re not completely out of the woods with COVID just yet, for parents whose children are finally eligible for the vaccine, it feels like we’re nearing the light at the end of what has been the longest and darkest tunnel in our lives. We are all ready to breathe a little easier.
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Summary
Parents of children aged 5 to 11 are rejoicing as the COVID vaccine becomes available, marking a significant relief after nearly two years of navigating the pandemic. Many parents have shared their excitement and relief as they scheduled appointments for their children, eager to provide an added layer of protection. This milestone brings hope as families feel they can finally begin to return to a sense of normalcy, while still remaining cautious as the pandemic continues.
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