Erica C. Kaye
- Erica C. Kaye MD, MPH, FAAHPM is a pediatrician and an assistant member of the oncology division at St. Jude Kids’s Analysis Hospital.
As a pediatrician, I’ve devoted half of my life (practically 20 years) to the examine of drugs to assist shield and care for youngsters. It’s heartbreaking to see politicians weaponize pediatric healthcare as a partisan situation.
Just lately, TN Home Representatives petitioned Gov. Invoice Lee to “direct the Tennessee Division of Well being to halt distribution, promotion and suggestion of COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest Tennesseans.”
The politicians who’re making an attempt to dam COVID vaccines for youngsters <5 years previous are usually not pediatricians, immunologists, or public well being researchers. They don’t have any coaching, data, or experience in baby well being or immunizations.
Please belief the individuals who have spent their complete grownup lives caring for youngsters. The overwhelming majority of pediatricians advocate the COVID vaccine for youths <5 years.
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Pediatricians are probably the most certified
Throughout my intensive coaching and profession, I’ve linked with a whole bunch of pediatricians personally and professionally. I have no idea a single pediatrician who’s anti-COVID-19 vaccine for youths. I take part every day in on-line pediatric communities representing hundreds of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. I’ve by no means heard a single anti-vaccine remark in these teams.
I’m not only a pediatrician—I’m additionally a mother who loves her youngsters and would flip over heaven and earth to maintain them wholesome and protected. As quickly because the COVID vaccine was authorised by the FDA and CDC, I made an appointment for my 2 yr previous to obtain the vaccine. She obtained the Moderna vaccine a couple of days in the past, and he or she didn’t cry and even wince when she received it (in all probability as a result of she was so thrilled to obtain a bandaid, a most treasured trophy in her eyes). She did discover a little bit of soreness on the vaccine website the following day, though each of my youngsters mentioned it felt much less sore than the flu shot. She had no fever or different signs.
Why I selected to have my baby vaccinated
I vaccinated my 2 yr previous to guard her from lengthy COVID-19 signs, which could be devastating. I vaccinated her as a result of the vaccines use a long time’ previous expertise that medical doctors and scientists know and belief, which have been rigorously and extensively examined and located to be protected. I vaccinated her to guard immunocompromised youngsters and adults in our neighborhood who’re nonetheless weak to COVID19. I vaccinated her as a result of it’s a significant bummer when she will be able to’t go to high school or camp every time she has chilly signs that may be COVID-19.
I vaccinated her as a result of we plan to spend time with household and associates and journey, and I need to do every little thing in my energy to stop my youngsters from inadvertently spreading COVID to somebody who may turn out to be severely unwell or die from the virus.
However most of all, I vaccinated her as a result of I really like her, and as a pediatrician, I imagine that that is the very best path ahead to maintain her protected and likewise shield our beloved neighborhood.
Pediatricians care deeply about all youngsters – ours and yours. When you think about opinions on vaccinating youngsters for COVID-19, please have a look at what pediatricians are selecting for our personal youngsters. And let our data and actions communicate extra loudly than political noise.
Erica C. Kaye MD, MPH, FAAHPM is a pediatrician and an assistant member of the oncology division at St. Jude Kids’s Analysis Hospital.
