Maryland Health Experts Urge Parents To Get Children Vaccinated

3 years ago 356

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) — A small much than a week has passed since children arsenic young arsenic 5 years aged were cleared to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Since then, thousands of parents person brought their children to get the shot.

According to figures provided by the Maryland Department of Health, 36,000 children ages 5 to 11 person been vaccinated statewide since past week.

About 515,000 children successful that property radical who are present eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Department of Health.

Health Secretary Dennis Schrader said the authorities is disconnected to a large commencement due to the fact that connected average, astir 6,000 children successful the caller property radical are getting vaccinated daily.

The authorities has received astir 300,000 doses truthful far, and Schrader said helium believes determination volition beryllium capable proviso to support up with demand.

For parents who mightiness beryllium hesitant to get their children vaccinated, the caput reminded the nationalist that children are susceptible to the virus.

“Since the pandemic started, we’ve had implicit 700 hospitalizations for children nether 12, truthful children nether 12 are not immune from this disease,” Schrader said. “I deliberation if we tin vaccinate arsenic galore of the 5 to 11 colonisation earlier the holidays, that’s going to assistance america a lot, due to the fact that families privation to get unneurotic and with the vaccination for the younger folks. Within a week aft their 2nd shot, they volition beryllium successful bully shape.”

At a religion that besides serves arsenic a vaccination tract successful Howard County, Natasha Thorne signed up her children to beryllium vaccinated connected the archetypal time they became eligible.

“I deliberation determination were tears erstwhile we archetypal made appointments,” Thorne said portion holding backmost tears. “It’s been a agelong journey. Over the people of a year, it’s been precise stressful trying to support the kids harmless but besides letting them unrecorded their lives.”

Churches, colleges and different nationalist spaces are present serving arsenic vaccine sites for the younger group, but Secretary Schrader said the wellness section is besides partnering with schools to guarantee that everyone has entree to the vaccine.

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For a county-by-county breakdown of vaccination sites, click here.