Howard County Preparing To Vaccine Children Against COVID-19

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COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) — About 31,000 Howard County children are betwixt the ages of 5 and 11, making them eligible for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Public wellness experts accidental the COVID-19 vaccine volition not lone support children and support them steadfast successful schoolhouse but besides assistance to bring the coronavirus pandemic to an end.

Getting shots successful children’s arms is the adjacent measurement successful the combat against COVID-19, officials say. Clinics passim the region are already mounting up appointments for kids.

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Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said the vaccine has undergone rigorous investigating and volition proceed to beryllium tested arsenic the vaccines rotation out.

“The vaccine has been specially formulated for younger children and volition beryllium administered astatine one-third the dose antecedently administered to children and adults implicit 12,” Dr. Rossman said.

In Maryland, much than 100,000 children person been infected with COVID-19, 12 of whom died of the illness.

“At this point, we person to trust connected science,” genitor Patrick Myles said. “And if subject is favorable to it astatine this constituent and it’s reliable and feedback is good, past I’m each for it.”

Nicole Towsene considers herself neutral connected the issue, saying she thinks parents should person the eventual say.

“I deliberation it is important to beryllium capable to spot your doctors, but astatine the extremity of the day, I deliberation it’s everyone’s decision,” Towsene said. “I don’t believe, particularly for children, it should beryllium a mandatory thing.”

“I americium overjoyed it is present disposable to 5- to 11-year-olds,” said Dr. Michael Martirano, superintendent of Howard County Public Schools.

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Howard County is 1 of the astir vaccinated successful the state, with much than 80% of eligible residents afloat vaccinated against COVID-19.