Why I Gave My Kids The COVID-19 Vaccine

Have you struggled with deciding whether to vaccinate your kids against COVID-19? If you need a little help deciding, read on for the reasons why I gave my kids the COVID-19 vaccine.

I don’t know about you, but I’m truly OVER this pandemic. The masks, the social distancing, the limitation in activities, and the politics surrounding it all. I’m ready to move on with my life, and my kids are too. We put a pause on everything for a good while once the pandemic started and our kids were virtual schooling for all of last year. Recently, we’ve been slowly and safely getting back to some of our regular activities. But the risk of COVID-19 is still out there. The vaccine is the one thing that I feel the most confident in to move us forward.

Our family

My husband and I were vaccinated as soon as we were able to. As a Pediatrician still working in a busy office and visiting the hospital at times, it was a must for me. Even though my husband has been working from home for over a year, he still got vaccinated to protect our kids. Luckily, my two oldest kids were old enough to be vaccinated several months ago, at ages 12 and 16. And we’re anxiously waiting to get shots in the arms of my 11- and 8 year-old within the next few days. Unfortunately, my 3 year-old is still too young for any of the COVID-19 vaccines, and we’ve kept him home with my husband because of it.

That’s our story as a family, and what I decided to do with my own kids. But, I talk to parents and families in my office everyday who are in different situations and have different opinions about the vaccine. Many want their kids to be first in line for the vaccine as soon as it’s available. Others want their kids to get the vaccine, but want to wait a few months so that their kids aren’t the “first” to get it. Still, others are completely against it for themselves and their kids.

I know there are a lot of different viewpoints out there, but I’ll share with you the reasons why I gave my kids the COVID-19 vaccine (and will give it to my younger kids as soon as I can!):

To protect them from COVID-19

Since the summertime, children have been making up a larger percentage of new cases, unlike early in the pandemic. Millions of children have been infected, thousands have been hospitalized, and hundreds have died. The majority of children hospitalized with COVID-19 have been Black or Hispanic. Unfortunately, my children fall into this category, and it’s not a risk I want to take. Even with a low risk a death, there are too many unknowns associated with this virus. There is the potential for long-haul COVID as well as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). If I can protect my children from any of this, I will – and I did.

To protect the rest of our family from COVID-19

We’re lucky enough to have 4 of our family members vaccinated against COVID-19 so far. But, that means there are 3 who still aren’t. Not only are we protecting ourselves, but we’re protecting our younger family members who can’t be vaccinated. Since the vaccine decreases the risk of us bringing COVID-19 home.

The benefits outweigh the risks

The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children ages 12-15. It’s 91% effective in kids ages 5-11 and people 16 and older. This protection is a huge benefit for our children. But, not only that, vaccinating children will slow the spread of the disease worldwide, decrease the threat of new variants, and allow us to be more confident about sending our kids to school and activities safely.

The safety data for the COVID-19 vaccine has been good from the clinical trials, which included thousands of children. Like any other vaccine, pain and swelling at the injection side is the most common adverse reaction. Fevers, fatigue, headache, chills and swollen lymph nodes are other side effects, but have been less common in children than in adults. 

The more serious side effect of myocarditis/pericarditis (inflammation of the heart) has been shown in a small number of adolescents who received the vaccine. However, the risk of myocarditis is higher after an actual COVID-19 infection than from the COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, the smaller dose that has been approved for children ages 5-11 is expected to decrease the risk of myocarditis even more.

I believe in science

I trust the studies and the data on the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines. Although the vaccines were produced somewhat faster than usual, they have been studied for months. They still had to meet rigorous criteria before they were approved for the general public. No corners were cut. The process was not “rushed”.

I don’t believe the rumors

Whenever a new vaccine comes on the market, it’s followed by a slew of false information all over the internet. Of course, this happened with the COVID-19 vaccine. No, the vaccine does not cause infertility. No, it does not implant a microchip into your body or make you magnetic. It will not alter your DNA. It does not contain live virus and will not give you COVID-19. I encourage you to visit the CDC for the facts on all of these rumors.

I want to get on with life

We’re all so ready to stop wearing masks. We want to go back to Disney World or on another Disney Cruise. Family gatherings and birthday parties are usually a huge part of our lives, but we haven’t been able to because of the pandemic. We want to hug and hang out. I want to feel better about sending my kids to dance, gymnastics, and basketball without being worried. And my youngest back to school without feeling guilty. Kids all over the world have suffered emotionally and academically because of this pandemic, and it’s time we get them back to being kids. 

If you’re on the fence about getting the COVID-19 vaccine for your kids or for yourself, I hope my reasoning has helped to sway you in the right direction. If you have any comments or questions about any of this, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to your personal healthcare provider.

Other helpful resources related to why I gave my kids the COVID-19 vaccine:

• Why I Give My Kids Vaccines
• Why I Gave My Kids The HPV Vaccine
• Overcoming 10 Myths About The Flu Vaccine
• Benefits of The Flu Vaccine

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