Dear Editor,
This missive is for parents. The government has received the COVID-19 vaccine for our children who are between the ages of 5 and 11 years old and started vaccinations last Saturday. My daughter who is 10 years old received her first dose. But before I made the decision for her to receive the vaccine, I considered the fact that the COVID-19 virus is still spreading. That while the government has removed all restrictions, persons still have a responsibility to wear a mask, wash their hands frequently and avoid crowded spaces etc, which is not always practiced. With those considerations I saw the vaccine as the best thing to do for my child’s health. I also saw it as the best option to make sure that my child and your children can keep attending school and other activities that are so important for their physical and mental health. I also did my research; I frequently visited the CDC webpage for updated information on the Pfizer BioNTech mRNA vaccine.
To prepare my child for her COVID-19 vaccination experience, I visited with our family doctor and my daughter was encouraged to ask questions about her concerns about the vaccine. After ensuring she was well fed, we turned up at the Tarmac of the National Cultural Centre where she got her shot. Since receiving her shot, my child has shown no immediate side effects of the vaccine. She continues to enjoy her daily routine activities.
Parents, please make the right decision for your child or children who are eligible for the vaccine. Do it now rather than regret it later. And don’t forget to encourage your child to keep doing their part to protect themselves and others by wearing a face mask and following other steps to keep safe.
Regards,
Shaundell Shipley