President Biden:’Parents Give Kids COVID Jab’
(Worthy News) – U.S. President Joe Biden has urged parents to get their kids inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine after America’s leading health institute endorsed its use for children as young as 12.
President Biden called Wednesday’s decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to approve the jab for minors “one more giant step in our fight against the pandemic.”
The CDC action followed a vote Wednesday afternoon by its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an independent group of medical and public health experts. The vote was reportedly 14 in favor, with one recusal.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky signed off by day’s end, giving the green light for the two-dose vaccine to be used immediately for those ages 12 to 15
The CDC move effectively opened the doors for millions of adolescents to receive the Pfizer shots, despite documented side effects experienced by thousands of Americans.
Biden played down safety concerns. “The bottom line is this: A vaccine for kids between the ages of 12 and 15 … [is] safe, effective, easy, fast and free,” he said. “So my hope is that parents will take advantage of the vaccine and get their kids vaccinated.”
MANY PHARMACIES
Biden said 15,000 pharmacies are to start vaccinating adolescents as soon as Thursday, with most of those no farther from family’s homes than their neighborhood schools.
Children will be able to receive their two Pfizer shots in different places if they change locations this summer, he added.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky reportedly signed off by day’s end, giving the green light for the two-dose vaccine to be used immediately for those ages 12 to 15.
Those supporting the vaccination drive for children say giving coronavirus jabs to children will make it easier for state and local officials to reopen schools and summer camps.
“Getting adolescents vaccinated means their faster return to social activities and can provide parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing their family is protected,” Walensky stressed.
The Food and Drug Administration already cleared the vaccine for emergency use for children in the 12-15 age group, saying Monday “ it was safe and effective” at the same dose as that to those 16 and older.
PARENTS ANXIOUS
However, most American parents don’t share their enthusiasm for over-vaccinating minors with a coronavirus jab.
Only 29 percent of parents say their children will receive the vaccine “right away,” according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Vaccine Monitor.
Another 32 percent said they would wait to see how the vaccine is working before getting their child inoculated.
The remaining parents said their child would be vaccinated only if their school requires it (15 percent), or they definitely would not be vaccinated (19 percent).
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Vaccine Monitor surveyed more than 2,000 adults across the U.S. over the last two weeks of April.
If you are interested in articles produced by Worthy News, please check out our FREE sydication service available to churches or online Christian ministries. To find out more, visit Worthy Plugins.