FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Young Teens, Maple Grove Family Elated
FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Young Teens, Maple Grove Family Elated
Maple Grove resident Maya Nishikawa was pleased when she heard the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12-15 to combat COVID-19. Nishikawa looks forward to her 12-year-old daughter, Hana Johnson, getting the vaccine.
The FDA on Monday announced that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for middle-school aged children on an emergency use basis.
“We plan on getting her vaccinated because she gets in contact with more people than anyone else in our house,” said Nishikawa.
Nishikawa’s 12-year-old daughter, Hana, has a plate full of activities. She plays violin in the Greater Youth Symphony, is on two lacrosse teams, participates in Girl Scouts and plays hockey. Nishikawa says her daughter’s hockey team had to be quarantined a few times this winter.
“We were always hearing about cases popping up, and things were on the rise at the time. So, yeah, we were concerned. But at the same time, we wanted her to have experiences,” explained the Maple Grove mom. “She doesn’t like needles, but she understands it’s important.”
Footage of Pfizer COVID vaccine
Some Parents Plan to Hold Off on Child Vaccinations Initially
Some parents are hesitant to give their young teens the vaccine. A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows only three in 10 parents of children ages 12-15 say they will get their child vaccinated as soon as a vaccine is available.
Hennepin Healthcare pediatrician, Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian, says the vaccine is safe and encourages everyone to roll up their sleeves.
“Not only is it incredibly effective. In fact, they had what they call 100 percent effectiveness in 12- to 15-year-olds in the study. No one who got this vaccine ended up getting COVID,” said Dr. Subrahmanian.
Meanwhile, Hana’s parents say the vaccine is the opportunity for her to socialize and be a normal kid again this summer.
“She can actually go to her sleep-away camp with the Girl Scouts that she missed last year, and then she’ll have day camps for hockey. She wants to get out and be with her friends,” said Nishikawa.
The Hennepin Healthcare Brooklyn Park Clinic says it will be ready to administer the Pfizer vaccine to young teens as soon as it’s approved by a CDC vaccine advisory panel, a decision that’s expected Wednesday.
Also see: 5-4 COVID-19 Update: Nearly Half of Minnesotans Have Received At Least One Vaccine Dose
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