An advisory committee has recommended the Health Ministry begin a coronavirus vaccination campaign for children aged five-11. This recommendation was given after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine for children in that age group.
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Now the ministry's most important task is to dispel the understandable fear and doubt of parents about whether to vaccinate their children. It must do so with transparency, parental involvement, and willingness to answer questions.
One such question being asked is: Why vaccinate children if in most cases they recover from the coronavirus without developing severe illness? The reality is, the virus is not gone and the emergence of new strains is just a matter of time, and therefore it is essential for parents to vaccinate their children.
It is not only difficult but also immoral to rob children of the opportunity to socialize with peers. Moreover, the damage isolating kids does to social ties by far exceeds the small risk of vaccines.
Those who claim that most children recover from the virus easily must bear in mind that some children do become seriously ill. The fact that it is rare is no consolation for the parents whose child is going through this.
To date, approximately 500 children between the ages of five-11 have developed serious cases after contracting coronavirus. Over 100 suffered from a post-COVID syndrome that causes great damage to the body.
As parents, we manage risk all the time. The decision to let our child go on a trip without us being nearby is not easy, yet we do not deny them that opportunity. When our child passes a driving test, it is not easy for us to hand them the car keys, but we understand that we cannot hold them back from driving.
Intelligent risk management means making the most correct decision under the current circumstances. We know that being infected with the coronavirus carries far more risks than getting vaccinated, and that inoculated children are less likely to get infected and infect others.
Above all, vaccinating our children is an educational step that expresses responsibility towards all Israeli children – especially those at risk – and toward our elderly parents and the society at large.
Only when children are also vaccinated will we be able to live a safe life alongside coronavirus, with minimal harm to society, education, and the economy.
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