Hundreds of Nebraska healthcare providers say it’s time to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.Brand Avenue Studio

Hundreds of Nebraska doctors and healthcare providers have signed a statement of support for immunizing children in Nebraska over the age of five with COVID-19. By signing this support statement, medical professionals are sending messages. Vaccine your child and contact your healthcare provider to answer your vaccine questions as soon as possible.

236 physicians and healthcare providers represent 17 different Nebraska communities.They joined forces as part of it Max the Bucks Initiative, Efforts to Maximize Children’s Immunization Rate to Protect, Health and Enroll Children in Nebraska. This effort is led by the Nebraska Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

A growing concern among Nebraska physicians is the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in children.Children and adolescents account for more than 30% of new COVID-19 infections, making COVID-19 currently the top 10 leading cause of death in children in the United States.

“We are seeing the trend. Children who have not yet been vaccinated are infected with COVID-19 and are seriously ill and hospitalized,” said an infectious disease specialist and pediatrician at a pediatric hospital and medical center. Dr. Kari Simonsen said. “Vaccination of children with COVID-19 benefits our entire community as it reduces children’s illness and the illness of the adults around them.”

Although the number of cases continues to fluctuate, the surge in previous COVID-19 cases has disrupted the care of individuals with health needs other than COVID-19. As more families are vaccinated with COVID-19 to prevent severe illness, the burden on the community’s health system will be reduced.

“If I didn’t believe in the vaccine, I wouldn’t have been able to get it for my children. It reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19 and severe symptoms. It’s also safe for children. Much research has been done over the last two years, “said Anna Warnes of APRN, a family health worker in Crete Island, Nebraska and Wilbur.

Sharon Stoolman, MD, a children’s hospitalist at Children’s, said he frequently hears some misunderstandings from his parents about COVID-19 and vaccination. She wants to clarify — immunity after COVID-19 infection and the body’s innate immunity is not enough to fight the virus and its new variants.

“I equate it with your protection in a hurricane. If we were exposed to regular storms, your innate immunity might be enough umbrella for you to survive the storm. But in a community-rich pandemic, you need more than just an umbrella. You need ponchos, rain pants, and boots because your innate immunity wasn’t enough for the latest variants. So, even if you were infected with COVID-19 last year, you’re calling on your family to get vaccinated because you need to add a protective layer, “says Dr. Stoolman.

Dr. Stoolman and her colleagues have no way of predicting exactly who will be severely ill with COVID-19, but vaccinated children and teens have severe symptoms such as MIS-C. We know that there are few cases of complications and COVID-related illnesses. In addition, the side effects of the vaccine are short-term and complications are rare.

“When people are hesitant to get vaccinated, my first recommendation is to talk to a trusted healthcare provider who knows them best. These questions and concerns are usually very individual. It’s a sequel and it’s related to your individual health condition, “says Dr. Simonsen. “I want people to talk to health care providers who are familiar with them, but I also encourage everyone to ask those questions and proceed with getting the vaccine. It is safe. At this point, it has reached millions of children, including millions, and more children will need to be vaccinated to survive this pandemic. . “

Research on the COVID-19 vaccine began in 2003 thanks to the SARS virus, COVID-19’s cousin. The process used to develop the vaccine in 2020 was previously designed to rapidly create and test vaccines in the event of an infectious disease pandemic.

“We have a long history of vaccination to keep children healthy, from polio to measles and whooping cough. As doctors, we know the safety of vaccines in the long run. We know the side effects, short-term side effects, and what to expect, “says Dr. Stoolman.

“We understand that vaccines can cause anxiety, so we are committed to providing resources, support, and education to families with questions and concerns. We are for you. I’m here, “said Emily Brown, MD, MD, One World Community Health Centers.

“Vaccinations help keep families safe and send children to school, in addition to masking, washing hands, and keeping a social distance. For those who are eligible for vaccination, it is still It’s an urgent task, “says Chanda Chacón of FACHE, MPH, the president and CEO of the child.

Health care providers say that vaccination is the best thing a family can do now to return to some sort of normal life after more than two years of confusion and uncertainty.

“There were a lot of things that weren’t rethought two years ago, such as going to basketball games, music concerts, visiting grandparents, going to school, and reassuring. Now we’re kids Every small decision you make in your life will change every small experience your child will experience with COVID-19, “Warnes said. “Vaccination of children benefits our community in that it allows us the freedom to thrive again. It enables the activities we had before. Businesses and schools can remain open. Vaccines are a gateway to freedom for our community and vaccinated people. “

MaxTheVaxNE.org It contains a complete list of vaccination locations, useful resources, and downloadable handouts. In addition, websites and leaflets are available in several languages, including English, Spanish and Arabic.

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