As a parent, it can be difficult at times to know what the right decisions are when it comes to your children’s health. You always want to do what is best for them, and especially in times like these, you may feel conflicted about what that best decision is.
We now have large amounts of evidence that having
children vaccinated against COVID is extremely beneficial. As we have continued to learn more about the virus and the effectiveness of the vaccine, it has become overwhelmingly clear that vaccination is our strongest tool against the serious risks that COVID presents for people of any age.
At this time, the Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for children ages 5 and older. Those 12 and older are also eligible to receive the Pfizer booster shot if they have received two doses of the vaccine at least 6 months ago.
The Effect of COVID on Children
Many people hold the view that COVID presents no danger for children. And it is true that in many cases, COVID is less severe for children than it is for adults. However, there are still risks for children that include severe illness,
hospitalization, long-COVID, and even death. There is also a risk specific to children of developing a disease called Multi-system inflammatory syndrome. This can cause severe inflammation of the
heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin, and
eyes.
Tips for Easing Vaccine Anxiety
It isn’t unusual for children to be anxious about vaccines. They may be worried that it will hurt, or there may simply be a fear of the unknown if they do not know what to expect. Here are a few things to help comfort a child experiencing anxiety about the vaccine:
- Remind them that it will be very brief and over before they know it.
- If you also need to get your COVID vaccine, schedule your own appointment at the same time as your child’s so that you can offer each other moral support.
- Celebrate afterward. Have something fun planned for after the vaccination appointment, so that there is something to look forward to. It is great to celebrate doing something that will keep ourselves and those around us safe!
Remind your child that it is okay to be nervous, but that the Crisp Regional team is here to make the process easy and can answer any questions you or your child might have about the vaccine. It is also a great opportunity to teach your child about the ways that getting the vaccine can help keep them safe and also protect friends,
family, and the Cordele community!