Questions About Child Vaccinations? Pierce Health Has Answers

TACOMA, WA — Now that the FDA, CDC and Western States Conference have given the child Pfizer doses their full approval, Washington is beginning to vaccinate kids ages 5 to 11 against COVID-19.

However, as of the state Department of Health's estimate last week, just 30 percent of parents are likely to seek out vaccination for their young kids in the near future. It's not hard to see why: a lot is changing, the vaccine is relatively new, and — though children can carry and transmit COVID-19 — they're unlikely to have serious COVID-related complications.

To help explain why doctors believe vaccination is the right choice for Washington's youth, and to answer any questions or concerns parents may have about youth vaccination, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has announced a webinar, set for this Thursday, where parents can hear about vaccine directly from a pediatrician and a naturopathic doctor.

The health department says they hope to explain a few things, including:

• Why the vaccine is important to children.
• If the vaccine is safe and effective in kids.
• What kind of side effects kids could have.
• And more.

Parents will also be able to ask their own questions during a Q&A portion.

The event will be held Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. If you're interested, all you have to do to attend is to register online over Zoom.