CDC Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids Older Than 12
May 12, 2021, 10:10 PM | Updated: May 13, 2021, 11:09 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Centers for Disease Control approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids as young as age 12-years-old. That news came Wednesday but not all families are ready to get shots for their children.
The Kaiser Family Foundation released a poll that said one in three parents will wait to see if the vaccines are effective. Another 20% said they definitely will not get their children vaccinated.
Here in Utah, families are divided on the vaccine even though pediatricians said it’s safe and effective for kids.
Dr. Darin Bosworth, pediatrician for Wasatch Pediatrics said it’s good for parents to be cautious. “Certainly, there’s a lot of information out there about vaccines, some of it is misinformation and I think going to someone you can trust is important,” Bosworth suggested.
Earlier this week other Utah doctors who also happened to be parents encouraged hesitant parents to do their research.
Parents: CDC now recommends that Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine be used for 12- to 15-year-old adolescents. Getting your adolescent vaccinated means they can return to social activities faster. It also gives you peace of mind knowing your family is protected. https://t.co/G9GWkTXiz0
— Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) May 12, 2021
The Roberts family of four, including an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old, were all hit with COVID-19 this winter.
“My husband and I are actually long-haulers, and it was absolutely horrible,” Jennifer Roberts said.
She and her husband, Jason, were already fully vaccinated. They have waited for the green light to get their kids the shots.
“I want my kids to be protected and I don’t ever want to go through those symptoms again,” explained Roberts.
While kids typically don’t have severe symptoms from COVID-19, that’s not always the case. So far in Utah more than 23,000 teens between the ages of 12 and 15 have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Two hundred have required hospitalization and 14 have developed MIS-C, a syndrome that can ultimately cause death.
The Roberts said they aren’t going to chance that, and think other families should consider the vaccine too.
You can visit here for more information on how to find a COVID-19 vaccine in Utah.
