Children below 5 years to start receiving covid-19 vaccine in the U.S

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Saturday authorized a Covid-19 vaccination for children below five years. 

According to its website, the “CDC recommends Covid-19 vaccines for everyone six months and older and booster for everyone five years and older, if eligible.”

The Director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, explained the need for children to get vaccinated. 

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken  another important step forward in our nation’s fight against COVID-19. We know millions of parents and caregivers are eager to get their young children vaccinated, and with today’s decision, they can,” Dr. Walensky said. 

She further encourages “parents and caregivers with questions to talk to their doctor, nurse, or local pharmacist to learn more about the benefits of vaccinations and the importance of protecting their children by getting them vaccinated.”   

Reacting to the development, President Biden commended the CDC, saying from now on, every American will now be safe from the virus. 

“Today is a monumental step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus, with virtually every American now eligible for the protections that COVID-19 vaccines provide,” Joe Biden said. 

“For parents all over the country, this is a day of relief and celebration,” he added. 

SAFETY OF THE VACCINE

However, there is a reason to be worried. In the United States, most parents are unwilling to use their kids to experiment with the Covid vaccine. According to a survey conducted in April, one in five parents said they are willing to vaccinate their children as soon as there is a vaccine for them. 27% of these parents said they would not allow their children to be vaccinated. Interestingly, 40% of the parents said they would wait to see the adverse effects of the vaccine before their children would take a shot. 

There are indications that the vaccine’s safety for children is a concern in the country. 

The director of vaccine education in Pennsylvania, Dr. Paul Offit, said he has some concerns about the vaccine for children, but he also acknowledged that the “benefits outweigh the risks.” 

The CDC has admitted that the vaccine has some side effects. However, the body has assured parents that it is safe for children to take the vaccine. 

EFFECT OF COVID 19 ON CHILDREN

The Covid-19 virus has affected all kinds of people, including children.  Dr. Matthew Daley, a senior health investigator in Colorado, said many children have died from Covid-19. 

“Covid-19 is the leading cause of death among infectious diseases for people ages 0 to 19 years. And Covid-19 is the seventh most common of all causes of death for people ages 0 to 19 years,” he said. 

He stressed the importance of the vaccination, saying unvaccinated children are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. 

“Through March of 2022, unvaccinated people five years of age and older had ten times the risk of dying from Covid-19 compared to those vaccinated with at least the primary series,” Daley said.

He added that “most deaths from Covid-19 are preventable through vaccination.”

The CDC has promised to carry out further sensitization to convince parents and caregivers of the importance of the vaccine for children. Authorities have already commenced the vaccination process.