By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When it was Eliza Miller’s turn to get her COVID vaccine Monday, the nurse distracted the Crim kindergartner with talk about markers and Eliza’s favorite activity at school. She told Eliza to make her arm “loosey goosey – like spaghetti noodles.”
A second later, it was over.
Eliza was vaccinated and her mom was relieved.
“I am glad she did it,” said Amy Miller, of Bowling Green. Though some parents struggle with the decision to get their young children vaccinated, Miller was not conflicted.
“I think it’s the right thing to protect her and protect others,” Miller said.
The vaccination clinic offered by the Wood County Health Department at Bowling Green High School on Monday was packed with parents wanting to get the pediatric dose for their children ages 5 through 11. A long line snaked down the hallway for the first doses.
Katie Frank waited in line with her three children, ages 5, 7 and 9.
As director of emergency services at Wood County Hospital, Frank was confident in her decision to get her children vaccinated against COVID.
“I have seen COVID and the effects of COVID,” she said. “I wanted to protect my kids and protect others.”
Frank didn’t sugarcoat the vaccine process for her kids.
“They know it’s going to hurt. But it’s like a pinch – and they pinch each other all the time,” she said.
Holly Wensink brought two children to the vaccine clinic. She felt fortunate to get there in time to get the shots, since the walk-in slots were filled in just 25 minutes.
Wensink’s daughter, Sara Britton, 13, already got her vaccine. And now it was 9-year-old Cole’s turn.
“I’m just excited they finally released it for my age,” Cole said. “I’ll feel safer.”
Also waiting in line was Sami Cordella, from Perrysburg, with her daughters Lucia, 10, and Zola, 5. While she understands some parents being unsure of the vaccine, she does not share those concerns.
“I’m married to a scientist and I trust science,” Cordella said. “I didn’t struggle with it. They got all their other ones,” she said of childhood vaccines.
Lucia was putting on a brave face for Zola. “I’m very nervous. But I know my little sister’s really scared, so I’m going to be brave,” Lucia said.
In the classroom turned into a vaccination room for the clinic, Lydia Ratushinskaya, 7, clung tightly to her mom, Maria, as she waited for the shot. Her mom had talked with the Conneaut Elementary student about why she was getting the vaccine.
“We were trying to educate her about vaccines and how they work for your body,” her mom said.
Plus there was a “carrot” involved, Ratushinskaya said. Lydia was told that once vaccinated, she would not have to wear a mask to school – like her other friends who already go unmasked.
The pediatric vaccines are administered as two-dose series, three weeks apart, and are a lower dose than used for people 12 years and older.
According to the Wood County Health Department, the vaccine was found to be nearly 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 5 through 11 years old. The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children in this age group and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study.
In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children. The most common side effect was a sore arm. Others included fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and decreased appetite.
More children reported side effects after the second dose than after the first dose. Most side effects went away within one to two days.
The benefit to getting children vaccinated, according to the health department, is to help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.
Parents with questions about the vaccines are encouraged to talk to their pediatricians or family physicians to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.
Many providers are making COVID-19 vaccines available for children, including local pediatricians, family physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, school clinics and the Wood County Health Department.
The following tips are suggested to make the vaccine less stressful for children:
- Be honest and calm.
- Bring something they find comforting like a favorite toy, stuffed animal or book.
- Help them focus on something pleasant.
- Distract them right before the shot. Say their name and talk to them to divert their attention. They should avoid looking at the syringe and relax their arm.
- Remind children that vaccines can keep them healthy.
- Support children if they are upset. Never scold a child for not “being brave.”
- Children should eat and drink plenty of water before getting a vaccination.
- Have children dress in layers with short sleeves underneath.
- Children should stay seated for 15 minutes after they receive the vaccine.
