By Versailles Dalessio, Online Editor-in-Chief
Since the first coronavirus vaccine was administered on Dec. 14, 2020, people have debated the value of getting the vaccine vs. the potential threats of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Starting Nov. 3, 2021, the debate extended to youth ages 5-11.
That’s when the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for use in youths. The DHHS even partnered with Surf Pediatrics and Medicine for its first clinic on Nov. 13, which seemed to be quite a success, according to Dare County Health and Human Services Director Sheila Davies.
“It was very successful. 173 youth ages 5-11 received their first dose of the vaccine without issues,” Davies said. “The clinic ran very smoothly.”
However, there is still some opposition from those who feel that there is limited knowledge on the COVID-19 vaccine and wouldn’t strongly recommend it to others.
“It hasn’t been tested long enough to really know its full potential, so it could be OK now, but then what can you expect a year from now?” said a local nurse who wished to remain anonymous to discuss her views about the vaccine candidly. “We don’t know, because the data that we have and the minimal testing they have is just now hitting a year, so there’s a lot of uncertainty with it.”
The nurse added that there haven’t been enough younger kids who had to be hospitalized because of COVID-19 to make the vaccine necessary.
According to the CDC, scientists have conducted clinical trials with nearly 3,000 youth suggesting that Pfizer has met the safety and efficacy standards in young children, while the FDA continues to monitor the safety of these vaccines.
Meanwhile, with parents being directly affected by these decisions, some argue that the vaccine is no threat, but a positive step forward in today’s circumstances.
“Because the whole COVID-19 crisis is so important to me, I am really shocked at all the negativity surrounding it,” local resident Cindy Benton said. “I wonder where people get their information from, and act like it’s such a terrible thing, because I prefer to let the facts and the science decide whether or not it’s good for my family to be vaccinated.”
Benton took the opportunity to get her 10-year-old son, Wade, vaccinated back in November, because her family believed it was the safest measure in preventing the spread of the virus. Prior to this, the other four members of the Benton family received the vaccine once it was made available to the public.
In addition to health and safety concerns, Benton described the importance of childhood as one of the underlying reasons for choosing this for her son.
“I just hope that more and more kids will be able to participate and get their vaccine, because activities that they have not been able to do for so long, I want there to be normalcy in,” Benton said. “I don’t want them to be scared or feel like they can’t do some of the fun things that they used to just because they’re worried about getting COVID. I want them to be able to be kids again.”
On the other hand, people are inevitably going to share mixed feelings about the effectiveness and practicality of it, but the question of getting it is a personal one for families.
“You can show people the pros and cons, but they must effectively weigh those pros and cons in order to really make their own decisions,” the nurse said. “I don’t know if you’re going to be able to push people one way or another, because I think their minds are set. Either you feel you need it to protect your family, which is fine, but anybody who doesn’t, shouldn’t have to be convinced to get it.”
Regardless, the role of the DHHS is to provide data and guidance from the CDC, so that healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocacy groups can make informed decisions pertaining to the delivery of health-and-human-related services.
“The COVID vaccine is very effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalizations. The vast majority of new cases, serious illness and hospitalizations are in unvaccinated individuals,” Davies said. “This pandemic has been plagued by misinformation. There is also a lack of government trust by some individuals. If people have concerns or questions about the vaccine, they are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.”
Those with general questions about COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccine who seek answers on a variety of health topics, can visit the CDC website or call 1-800-232-4636.
Senior Versailles Dalessio can be reached at 22dalessiove31@daretolearn.org.
