Last week, the FDA authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine among children ages 5-11. Additionally, the CDC also voiced its support. Consequently, around 28 million children in the US can now obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.
Although many parents and educators have embraced the news, others remain concerned. According to The74’s summary of the October KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor report:
- Nearly 3 in 10 parents of 5-11 year-olds (27%) are eager to get a vaccine for their younger child while a third say they will wait to see how the vaccine is working.
- 3 in 10 parents say they will definitely not get the vaccine for their 5-11 year-old (30%).
- Parents are now 5-11 percentage points more likely to say they will “definitely not” get their children vaccinated.
- 53% of parents are worried their child may be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 even if they don’t want them to.
To respond to the concerns, many states, counties and school districts have begun incentivizing parents to vaccinate their children, utilizing many approaches. Here’s a quick scan headlines that give a sense of the resources and responses to the vaccine rollout across the US:
Covid Vaccine for Kids Ages 5 to 11: Top Questions Answered, WebMD.
What pediatricians want parents to know about the Covid vaccine for kids, NBC news.
Some parents want to wait to vaccinate their kids. Here’s why doctors say do it now, NPR.
Answering kids’ (and parents’) questions about the Covid-19 vaccine for ages 5 to 11, CCN Health.
Arizona
School officials in Phoenix are giving $100 gift cards to vaccinated students, Time.
California
“Nearly 350,000 California students face an imminent choice: Get vaccinated for Covid-19 or stay home.”
Florida
Tallahassee-Leon county is hosting a family fun day that offers free breakfast, lunch and Covid-19 booster shots, Tallahassee Democrat.
Illinois
Chicago will suspend school for a day on Nov. 12 to host “Vaccination Awareness Day”, Chalkbeat, Chicago.
Minnesota
Minnesota is encouraging students to obtain the vaccine but has refrained from an official mandate, StarTribune.
New York
New York City is encouraging children to receive the vaccine by offering $100 incentives, NBC.
“Children who get their shots at schools or at other city clinics across the five boroughs will be eligible for the $100 incentive that the city has offered since late-July to new vaccine recipients getting their shots at city-run sites.”
NYC schools start vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds to cheers, relief, and some frustration, Chalkbeat.
COVID-19 Vaccines Roll Out for Young Children in NYC, Early-Bird Families All Smiles, The 74.
Oregon
Hundreds of kids-size vaccine doses administered at Oaks Amusement Park, KGW8.
South Carolina
In Anderson, high school students can obtain $100 for getting the Covid-19 vaccine, Time.
Texas
Travis County will use a school based approach to roll out vaccines for children., Kxan.
Dallas will maintain mask mandates despite vaccines being available for young children now, Dallas News.
Washington
Given the increased demand for vaccines, Washington state urged parents to be patient, Seattle Times.
School districts increase their efforts to vaccinate their students by utilizing their buildings during school hours, evenings and weekends, Seattle Times.
— Dulce Rivera Osorio
International Education News 