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Watauga Parents Differ in Their Decision to Vaccinate 5-11 Year Old Children


On October 29, the U.S Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. As a result, Watauga County Schools has offered vaccination clinics to children, with a guardian's permission, at Hardin Park Elementary.


We asked parents with children in the Watauga County Schools district their opinions on their children receiving the new approved vaccine. Since this topic includes children's health records, many parents chose to redact their names from this article.


Sarah Kanipe, an English teacher at Watauga High School, is positive towards the vaccine, and believes it is the best option for her children to receive it. Her main reasons were regarding the long term health effects of Covid-19.


“After talking with our pediatrician, reading about clinical trials, and learning about some of the long term effects of contracting the virus, especially Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, we felt comfortable making the decision for our child,” said Kanipe.


As of November 17, Watauga County has vaccinated roughly 550 children through Blue Ridge Pediatrics, Watauga County Schools, and Boone Drug and Healthcare. This results in 20 % of the children in Watauga County of ages 5-11 being fully vaccinated.


A few parent sources reasoned against the vaccination for their children due to symptoms that occur after receiving the dose, including pain at the site of injection, chills, joint pain, and fever.


Pfizer is only distributing 10 micrograms instead of 30 micrograms for children 5 to 11 years of age, which is ⅓ of the normal dose for individuals ages 16 to 25.


“My child has had recent health problems,” said an anonymous Watauga County Schools parent. “I don’t think giving him a vaccination that will make him sick, affecting his health is the best choice for him.”


The main reason cited by parents to wait on vaccinating their children is due to the lack of testing for long-term life effects from the vaccine. Currently, there are no other mRNA vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This results in some parents doubting this type of vaccination, since it has never been distributed before.


''Because there has not been long term testing for this vaccination, I do not think it is wise to give it to my child,” says a second anonymous Watauga County parent. “Especially since the virus itself tends to have minor effects on children. I just don't think it's worth it.”


According to the CDC, ”COVID-19 cases in children can result in hospitalizations, deaths, MIS-C (inflammatory syndromes) and long-term complications, such as 'Long COVID,' in which symptoms can linger for months.”


Other sources against the vaccination for their children were mainly due to medical reasons, such as breathing conditions and severe allergies.


However, the CDC strongly suggests that children and adults with health conditions such as breathing issues receive the vaccine for health and safety. According to studies, 27% of individuals with underlying medical conditions who are infected with COVID-19 are hospitalized and the majority of those rely on ventilators to stabilize breathing.


Ultimately, parents must weigh the benefits and risks to their child and make the best decision.


“Vaccinating my child will not only protect him and his classmates, but also our community,” stated a third anonymous Watauga County Schools parent. “Since the creators of this vaccine are giving it to their child, and the possible long-term effects of COVID can be very serious, in my opinion, it is the best decision.”



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