INDIANAPOLIS–A pediatrician in Indianapolis has addressed concerns he has heard from parents skeptical of getting their babies vaccinated against COVID-19. He says it is about more than just protecting babies.
“It is nice to have something to protect babies from COVID other than masks or social distancing. Sometimes protecting the kid is really about protecting the other people in the family. If grandma is living in the house with the family and she is in her 80s and on dialysis or has diabetes, then having a kid who is less likely to get COVID and spread it is of huge benefit to that family,” said William Fisher, a pediatrician with Community Health Network in Indianapolis.
Fisher says this is about having fewer people to spread COVID.
“No vaccine works perfectly and we know some kids will still get COVID with the vaccine, but it seems like it will be way less severe. It is a step in the right direction in lessening the spread in the community,” said Fisher.
If you are a parent who is skeptical about getting your baby vaccinated, Fisher understands what you are feeling.
“What I counter with and what got my own family, including my kids, vaccinated is that we don’t know the long-term effects of COVID,” said Fisher.
Sunny Ronack chose to get her baby vaccinated at Community Health.
“We know that she might have some side effects from the vaccine, but we know that COVID is really dangerous and we want her protected against it. We’ve been afraid to go to church, family celebrations, and I’ve even been afraid to go to work because a lot of people don’t wear masks. I know there is a risk of bringing something home,” said Ronack.
Parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines to better protect them from COVID-19. The CDC recommends that all children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated.
