In the past week, almost 1 million children ages 5-11 have received the newly authorized COVID-19 vaccine. Emergency use was only granted on Oct. 29, so it’s clear that some parents were eager to get their children vaccinated.
For the past 20 months, children have had to bear a great portion of the pandemic burden. Among other things, virtual learning and cancellation of social activities have caused anxiety and distress.
No matter the age, everyone wants a return to normal. But since young children are much less likely to suffer from or even get the virus, is vaccinating them really necessary?
COVID has affected every age group, but its impact is not proportionate. Age increases the likelihood of destructive effects. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from January 2020 to September 2021 show that only 0.01% of COVID cases among those ages 0-17 resulted in death. The percentage for ages 65-74 is 5.07%, and for ages 85-plus, it climbs to 24.69%. The Food and Drug Administration’s press announcement concerning the emergency use authorization presents the following information:
Needless to say, no COVID death is insignificant. But it is important to note that the childhood rate of death from COVID is lower when compared to other causes of death. Annual average CDC data from September 2015 to 2019 show childhood COVID deaths to be less than flu, pneumonia, heart disease, drowning, firearms, and motor vehicle accidents.
Polling from October of parents or guardians whose children are ages 5-11 shows the vast majority want to wait and see how things play out first. A small percentage, 5%, will have their child vaccinated only if it’s required. A total of 30% say they will “definitely not” have their child get the COVID vaccine compared to 27% who said, “right away.”
Can you blame those who are choosing not to have their young children vaccinated? Absolutely not.
My oldest is a 5-year-old boy who just started kindergarten. For most of 2020, I was pregnant with his younger brother, who arrived last fall. As a result, our family took COVID seriously. We wore masks, washed our hands religiously, stayed away from crowds, and even wiped down our groceries for a time. We didn’t want to take any chances, especially with the pregnancy. When the vaccines became available to us, my husband and I were more than ready for them. It was a relief to be protected after such a long time of holding our breath.
But now that the vaccine (a low-dose version) is available to our son, we’re pausing. We are comfortably in the majority of those in the aforementioned poll. It’s not that we’re against vaccines at all. In fact, the opposite is true. Our children are up-to-date with their vaccination schedules for other ailments. We even firmly encouraged family and friends to get the COVID vaccine. But we’re not rushing to get our son vaccinated. We may eventually. We also may not.
The fact that a COVID vaccine is approved for children ages 5-11 is remarkable and overwhelmingly positive. Children who are immunocompromised need protection from COVID. Their parents should have peace of mind. They’ve waited for it for far too long. There is great benefit in providing medical advancements to those who need them. This progress should not be downplayed.
But as has been stated time and again, most children will either not get COVID or have very mild symptoms. If a parent wants their child vaccinated for added protection, they should not be shamed for doing so. There has been enough of that. The same goes for the other end of the spectrum. Parents who choose not to have their children vaccinated are neither heartless nor reckless. Science is on their side.
Unless health conditions prevent it, adults should get vaccinated. Children are another story, and the data show that. All mitigation efforts might be good, but are they truly necessary? When it comes to children and vaccines, that is the real question.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
