Positive COVID-19 cases are decreasing, the number of people vaccinated is increasing, and the statewide mask mandate has ended in Utah. And while many people are hoping the summer of 2021 will be better than last year, with more options for activities in public and with others, for parents whose children are too young to get vaccinated, there are still many concerns.
Daisy Velazquez lives in Smithfield and is a mother of four children ages 6 to 13. She is concerned that there is no vaccine available yet for her children. She said that puts them more at risk when going to public places, since not as many precautions are being taken by the general public.
“I think it should be fair for all, that if adults get a vaccine, children should too,” Velazquez said. “I think there isn’t still 100% trust to go to public places, where there are a lot of people because not everyone has taken the initiative to get the vaccine.”
Gabriel Lopez of Providence is the father of an infant and shared the same concerns as Velazquez.
“I feel that it’s a good thing that we have the vaccine and it should be mandatory for everyone to get one,” Lopez said. “But with my son that doesn’t have the vaccine and is only six months, he can still catch the virus, but not us since we are vaccinated.”
Vaccines typically take longer to be developed for children because of the additional research and data needed. Pfizer has announced it hopes it’s vaccine will be approved for use in children ages 12-15 by late summer or early fall.
And while both parents acknowledge there are concerns about receiving the vaccine, Lopez said for himself, he feels safer receiving the vaccine than having no protection at all.
“It’s something the government is giving us, I feel more safe having the vaccine then not having it,” Lopez said. “Also part of me doesn't want to get my child the vaccine because of the recalls that some companies have had.”
