NC Patch Readers Split On COVID-19 Vaccine For Children: Survey

NORTH CAROLINA — Two weeks have passed since federal agencies authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination to be administered to children as young as 12, but Patch readers in North Carolina offered a mixed bag about whether they would inoculate their children.

In a recent Patch survey taken by 110 respondents — three-quarters of whom acknowledging that they were parents of kids under 16 — nearly half said they would consider vaccinations for their children.

Of those who answered whether they would vaccinate their 12- to 15-year-olds, 48 percent said they would, while about 44 percent saying they would not. About 7 percent said they remained undecided.

This came from a group of readers of whom the majority — or about 64 percent — had been vaccinated, were highly or somewhat confident in both the effectiveness (about 67 percent), as well as the safety (about 63 percent) of the vaccine.

Though not a scientific poll, the survey reflects a broad representation of public opinion regarding the use of the vaccine for children.

Respondents to the survey were also asked whether they would vaccinate their children under the age of 12 against the coronavirus. Of those who responded with children, 25 percent said they would not get the shot for their younger children and 12 percent said they remained undecided. Nearly 28 percent of respondents with younger children, however, said that they would.

For those choosing to vaccinate their children, 48 percent said they wanted their children vaccinated "as soon as possible," while nearly 19 percent chose to "wait and see" how others responded.

As of May 24, nearly 3.5 million North Carolinians, or about 53 percent of adults, have received at least one dose of one of the approved versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly 3.2 million — or about 48 percent of adults in the state — are fully vaccinated.

Experts say children must get the shots if the country is to vaccinate the 70 percent to 85 percent of the population necessary to reach what's called herd immunity.

The Food and Drug Administration declared the Pfizer vaccine is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15. The study found no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among kids given dummy shots. More intriguing, researchers found the kids developed higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies than earlier studies measured in young adults.

The younger teens received the same vaccine dosage as adults and had the same side effects, mostly sore arms and flu-like fever, chills or aches that signal a revved-up immune system, especially after the second dose.

Of those parents who said they would vaccinate their 12- to 15-year-olds, nearly 40 percent said they were motivated by travel, about 35 percent said they wanted to do so in order to visit with friend, and nearly 34 percent said it was out of a desire to a return to face-to-face learning.

Some survey takers expounded on their answers.

One respondent said they wanted their child to get vaccinated, "So they can resume normality."

"I plan to have an in-depth discussion with my 14-year-old to get his thoughts on the vaccine before making the decision to have him vaccinated," one respondent said. "He has been diligent about wearing his mask throughout the pandemic; so I will let him have a say in whether he will get the vaccine or not. He is at an age that I'm not going to force the vaccine on him. He is taking a lot of the responsibility for his own health."

Another wrote, "12 yr old has asthma. Want to make sure she does not get the virus."

Others, however, were not convinced of the need to vaccinate youth.

"The science says children this age are not affected, mathematically," one survey taker said.

"It's still too new and not dependable. We did not sign up to be a trial study," another respondent said of vaccines.

"No logical reason to vaccinate for a 99.9 percent survival rate virus. Car rides are more dangerous.," wrote another.

Finally, as summer approaches and a new school year follows, respondents were asked whether they were for or against making the COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for returning to face-to-face learning in the fall. The survey produced a resounding "No," with nearly 51 percent opposing the idea and only about 38 percent in favor. Nearly 11 percent were undecided.

"This is a personal issue not one that should be mandated," one respondent said.

"I would take my child out of public school or use religious exemption if shot is required to attend," another said.

"If other vaccines are required to attend school, surely the Covid vaccine should be required. I also believe teachers should be required to receive the vaccine to continue teaching in schools," wrote another.

One parent saw the decision as an extension of parental duty. "I had my 16-year-old vaccinated as soon as it became available," they said. "In talking with him, he stated that he and his friends don't think that they need to social distance. When I asked why he simply stated that we just don't think like that. That told me that I needed to think for him in this instance."

For others, the issue is simply one of the greater good.

"Our country has been able to beat back smallpox and polio with vaccines," one respondent said. "We could rally together to beat covid with vaccines as well. We need to care about each other and our community."

— Patch Editor Marcus Garner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.