By: Adonia Burciaga
Children 5-12 years old have been approved by the Centers of Disease and Protection to be now able to receive the Covid-19 vaccines, this is what positive progress looks like.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children between the age of 5-12 receive their second dose 21 days after their first dose.
Though the vaccine helps protect against COVID-19, many people still have gotten COVID-19 and side effects therefore it’s important for children to be protected especially knowing that their immune system is not as developed as an adult. Younger children are a more at-risk age group.
According to the CDC, there have been about 500 pediatric-related deaths and over 40 deaths due to immune system complications that came after having COVID-19.
Also, having younger children vaccinated is a plus for them because they’re able to return to school safely, play sports, and participate in other activities.
Unfortunately, children under the age of 4 are still unable to get vaccinated.
The CDC is also only offering the Pfizer vaccine for the age group of 5-12. Whereas adults over 18 would be able to take any of the 3 vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J.
The CDC is also recommending that children 2-5 years old, wear masks in public areas until their ability to get vaccinated has changed.
According to the CDC, some cases of myocarditis have been reported in the age group of children 5-12 years old, and that these reactions are rare.
Having children protected from COVID-19 is important, mainly because there are different strains of COVID-19 that children may contract. As we head into the winter season it’s important for children to get vaccinated as the delta variant is still very much alive and as powerful. The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are very minimal.
Though the side effects may affect the children’s ability to participate in daily activities, the side effects like fatigue only last about two days. Having younger children vaccinated will reduce the worry of spreading of COVID-19 to adults and the elderly who have underlying medical conditions such as pregnancy, cancer, diabetes, heart conditions.
Anti-vaxxers have been the cause of many people not wanting to get vaccinated. They’ve spread false information about COVID-19 vaccines on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Anti-Vaxxers have claimed that having side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is not normal. Anti-vaxxers have refused to believe science and consider COVID-19 to be a hoax.
Anti-Vaxxers have claimed that having side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is not normal. The CDC shared on their website that side effects like pain, swelling, redness, fatigue, chills are very normal. The CDC also shared ways to reduce side effects such as taking Tylenol, wearing light clothing, and staying hydrated.