Trust pediatricians, not politicians, when deciding to give COVID-19 vaccine to your children | Opinion
As a pediatrician, I have dedicated half of my life (nearly 20 years) to the study of medicine to help protect and care for children. It is heartbreaking to see politicians weaponize pediatric healthcare as a partisan issue.
Recently, TN House Representatives petitioned Gov. Bill Lee to “direct the Tennessee Department of Health to halt distribution, promotion and recommendation of COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest Tennesseans.”
The politicians who are trying to block COVID vaccines for children <5 years old are not pediatricians, immunologists, or public health researchers. They have no training, knowledge, or expertise in child health or immunizations.
Please trust the people who have spent their whole adult lives caring for children. The vast majority of pediatricians recommend the COVID vaccine for kids <5 years.
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Pediatricians are the most qualified
Across my extensive training and career, I have connected with hundreds of pediatricians personally and professionally. I do not know a single pediatrician who is anti-COVID-19 vaccine for kids. I participate daily in online pediatric communities representing thousands of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. I have never heard a single anti-vaccine comment in these groups.
I am not just a pediatrician—I’m also a mom who loves her kids and would turn over heaven and earth to keep them healthy and safe. As soon as the COVID vaccine was approved by the FDA and CDC, I made an appointment for my 2 year old to receive the vaccine. She received the Moderna vaccine a few days ago, and she did not cry or even wince when she got it (probably because she was so thrilled to receive a bandaid, a most precious trophy in her eyes). She did notice a bit of soreness at the vaccine site the next day, although both of my kids said it felt less sore than the flu shot. She had no fever or other symptoms.
Why I chose to have my child vaccinated
I vaccinated my 2 year old to protect her from long COVID-19 symptoms, which can be devastating. I vaccinated her because the vaccines use decades’ old technology that doctors and scientists know and trust, which have been rigorously and extensively tested and found to be safe. I vaccinated her to protect immunocompromised children and adults in our community who are still vulnerable to COVID19. I vaccinated her because it’s a major bummer when she can’t go to school or camp each time she has cold symptoms that might be COVID-19.
I vaccinated her because we plan to spend time with family and friends and travel, and I want to do everything in my power to prevent my kids from inadvertently spreading COVID to someone who could become seriously ill or die from the virus.
But most of all, I vaccinated her because I love her, and as a pediatrician, I believe that this is the best path forward to keep her safe and also protect our beloved community.
Pediatricians care deeply about all children - ours and yours. When you consider opinions on vaccinating kids for COVID-19, please look at what pediatricians are choosing for our own kids. And let our knowledge and actions speak more loudly than political noise.
Erica C. Kaye MD, MPH, FAAHPM is a pediatrician and an assistant member of the oncology department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Political noise surrounding youth COVID-19 vaccination is muted by pediatrician guidance
