Last week, parents of young children between the ages of 5 to 11 woke up to the hopeful news that their children will soon be able to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines currently on the market.
Pfizer-BioNTech announced last Monday that its vaccine is safe and effective for children of these ages, as the vaccine is currently only approved for ages 12 and older. In addition, the study indicated that the dose is not the same as that given to adults, but is simply a third of what is provided, but it has still demonstrated a strong defense against the virus.
City of Laredo parents shared their views on the news following the announcement on LMT.
“I got COVID just a few months ago through my 8-year-old son and I was quite exhausted from the virus,” said Edgar Saldivar, a resident. Imagine if he had had the vaccine and the virus was prevented? Of course, I will allow him to be vaccinated as I did to fight this pandemic, which I think is taking longer than it should ”.
According to Saldívar, her son had only mild symptoms even though he became seriously ill. However, she felt that she would have benefited from her son being vaccinated so that his symptoms would not have been so severe.
“I used to hate the idea of going back to the office, but with the kids in school and unvaccinated, I honestly feel like they’re in the same danger as us and even with a lot less protection,” he said.
Other people expressed that they are ready to receive the vaccine for their children and believe that it is the best way to help prevent the spread of the virus that has affected many people around the world for the last year and a half. In fact, they hoped that other vaccines for other respiratory-related diseases would also be on the market to prevent many diseases that affect local children.
“Yes, I will,” Judith Garza said about whether she would allow her son to be vaccinated. “If I can prevent this nasty virus, I will do what I can. Now, if they only had a strep vaccine, we would try to get it. “
Like Garza, many people say it is necessary to vaccinate children, the last remaining population that has not received the vaccine, in efforts to end the pandemic.
“Absolutely, we have to end this virus,” Elsa Santos said.
Others said they would like to discuss it with their children first so they can understand the risk. But several said they know that children will eventually do anything to try to save the lives of their parents and friends.
“I know my daughter would say yes automatically,” Claudia Guzmán said. “(My) children are very loving… they know a lot about what is happening around the world and they want to help, and this is their way of doing it. I will absolutely allow my children to get vaccinated. “
With many Laredoan parents and individuals hopeful that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children will soon be implemented, some parents doubt and are even concerned about how it might affect their children.
“The truth is that people have died and suffered other medical emergencies from these vaccines,” said Stephany Salas. “I am not going to expose my children to something that I know will be potentially bad for them, as many adults have suffered. We need something safer for them, and maybe just helping them stay healthy and wearing a mask is enough. “
It should be noted that serious reactions to the vaccine are very rare. The CDC states that between 2 and 5 people per million in the US have suffered anaphylaxis after an injection.
Other people who have had children with COVID-19 and survived it with little or no symptoms said they believe the child may not need the vaccine, as children tend to be stronger against the virus.
“My two sons already had the virus and it really didn’t affect them that much. It felt like a mild flu, ”said Dolores Tijerina. “So why would I want them to receive another vaccine that I don’t know what effects it can have on my children? I think it is not safe to risk your health at the expense of making us feel more secure. I’ll take them out of school if necessary. “
Tijerina said she is concerned that her children will not receive any benefits or be compensated for any illness or allergic reaction they may have. He does not believe that children should be vaccinated, as most have not developed serious complications from the virus.
“They are the ones who can resist the virus the most, let’s leave the vaccine for people like me,” Tijerina said. “I am already vaccinated and I am not against the vaccine, but never think that I am going to vaccinate one of my children without knowing how effective the vaccine really is.”
Medical professionals, including those in the area, have stressed that it is very important to vaccinate the entire population. This is done in an effort to help prevent the virus from developing variants, such as the delta variant that has affected the US in recent months.
Saldívar just hopes that people understand that vaccines are effective, as they have proven throughout history.
“I just hope that when the time comes, people (get) the vaccine for their children because as adults we have to think for them when it comes to certain issues, and this is one of them,” Saldívar said. “Sure, they may not want it because it could hurt them, but worse, it could hurt not to see their mom, dad, or siblings later if they become infected and have a severe reaction to the virus.”
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