With COVID-19 vaccines now being given to children ages five to eleven in the Tri-State, Deaconess Health System hosted a forum about the vaccine for kids.
According to Deaconess officials, the first vaccine administered to a child under age twelve was given Wednesday in Henderson.
In a forum on Facebook Live, medical professionals assured parents that the vaccine is safe and recommended that children over age five get the vaccine as soon as possible.
One rare side effect of the vaccine was discussed in detail. Myocarditis, or an inflammation of the heart muscle, has been cited by many parents concerned about getting the COVID vaccine for their children. Deaconess pediatrician Barry Phillips addressed that concern.
“It’s truly weighing risk-benefit. The risk from the illness is much greater than the risk from the vaccine.”
Deaconess officials say that over 7,500 children have tested positive so far for COVID-19 at their testing sites.
