This content was paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Iowa City Moms is proud to support the effort to share facts about COVID-19 vaccines. For more information or to find vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov; text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or call 1-800-232-0233.
A Call to Action to Iowa City-Area Parents
Friends, these last 22 months have been quite the roller coaster, have they not? It has been a wild ride for the entire population, but there have undoubtedly been added layers of complication for moms (and dads) of small children. The challenge of remote working and/or virtual school, canceled events and closed daycares, and the inability to spend time with close family and friends has truly been a trifecta that none of us could have predicted or prepared for.
In our own family, 2021 brought a devastating cancer diagnosis for a 23-year-old family member, causing our already heightened fear of germs and sickness to increase exponentially. For that reason, when I was finally eligible to receive my vaccine, I did so eagerly alongside the majority of my family members, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get emotional when I did. And a few months later when my kids were eligible to get theirs, we made a fun morning of it and praised them endlessly for being brave and doing their part to protect themselves, our family, and others.
Fast forward to January 2022. Nothing feels “normal” yet (and maybe it never will), but I do have a COVID vaccine and booster, and with that, I do feel like I am moving in the right direction. I know every person’s story is different, and the decision to vaccinate your family is one that is met with many questions. Iowa City Moms is honored to partner with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to share facts about the COVID vaccines so that you can make the best choice for your family.
Safety is a top priority.
Millions of people have safely received COVID vaccines under the most rigorous safety monitoring in U.S. history. COVID vaccines are the most closely monitored vaccines in U.S. history and are being monitored just as closely in children.
Vaccines work.
COVID vaccines help prevent severe illness and death from COVID.
Almost eight million Americans under 18 have gotten COVID. Since August, hospitalization rates for children with COVID have reached record highs.
But great news! Everyone in the United States ages 5 or older is now eligible to get vaccinated. Your children ages 5 and older can get the same safe, effective protection from COVID that hundreds of millions of American adults have received. While it’s rare for children to become seriously ill from COVID, it is possible. Coupled with the fact that experts aren’t sure what the long-term impacts of COVID infection are, it’s clear that protection measures should be taken.
Because of this, CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend all children 5 and older get a COVID vaccine as soon as possible. COVID vaccines are given to children ages 5-11 in a smaller dose that has been tailored for younger children.
What about side effects?
In clinical trials, children had the same kinds of temporary side effects from COVID vaccines that adults have. One day of discomfort sure beats several days out of school or, worse, hospitalization!
Vaccinations are easily accessible.
Check with your child’s school or health care provider to see if they are offering vaccination clinics, as many are!
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect our families and make life safer for everyone.
Getting vaccinated will ensure that the 23-year-old going through very scary cancer treatments will not be doing so alone, night after night, but instead will be surrounded by her loving family. Getting vaccinated will ensure that the 90-year-old grandma is not isolated and alone on the holidays. Getting vaccinated means safely seeing your family and friends, no matter their age or their health status, and ensuring that COVID becomes a thing of the past.
We Can Do This.
For more information or to find vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX), or call 1-800-232-0233.
