Kate Hedger | Head Editor
May 13, 2021
With the new COVID-19 updates released by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) announcing that adolescents ages 12 to 15 can now receive the Pfizer vaccine, it seems we are finally nearing the end of the pandemic.
As many know, COVID-19 isn’t incredibly fatal for adolescents ages 12 and up, so vaccinating them is more an effort to increase herd immunity than to protect individuals. That being said, there have been rare cases of children losing their lives to COVID-19, and it is a relief to know that these tragedies can be brought to an end very soon.
“This is a really good step for us to finally get out of the pandemic,” freshman Claire Hedger said. “I’m really excited to get my vaccine on Monday and hopefully having younger people getting vaccinated will contribute to creating herd immunity faster.”
For younger students who live with immunocompromised family members or elderly grandparents, being able to get vaccinated will mean that they can finally participate in social activities again without fearing for the safety of their loved ones.
For California residents, it has been announced that most restrictions on businesses will be lifted on June 15, but this is only if COVID cases remain low. By allowing 12-to-15-year-olds to receive the vaccine, the number of cases will hopefully stay low enough to start living a normal life again. With these restrictions lifted, people can return to jobs and fun activities that have been prohibited for months.
“I’m really glad I was able to get the vaccine because I feel like it is a huge relief!” sophomore Sofia Sipelis said. “I’m also super grateful that I had the opportunity to contribute to the greater of the greater good and hopefully benefit our community.”
Though there are many people who are eager to get vaccinated, there are also many people who are skeptical about the vaccine’s efficacy and side effects. For those who feel unsure, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider in order to get real answers to any questions or concerns.
In order for the COVID-19 vaccine to do its job in putting an end to the pandemic, as many people as possible need to get vaccinated. By opening up vaccines to adolescents, about 17 million more Americans are eligible. The more people who get vaccinated, the quicker we can return to normal life and feel safe about the health of our friends and family.
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