Roughly 30 appointments were scheduled for Rocking Horse’s first pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic, according to Rocking Horse Chief Medical Officer Dr. Yamini Teegala.
Teegala said the health center was expecting fewer appointments on its first clinic, pointing to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation that found roughly 1 in 3 parents are willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.
“It’s not for lack of interest,” Teegala said. “Everyone wants to do what’s best for their kid. It’s our job to answer questions honestly and make sure they understand.”
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
In Clark County, 3,858 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among people aged 0-19 since the pandemic’s beginning, according to the Ohio Department of Health. A total of 13 hospitalizations in Clark County have been reported among the same age group.
Area families brought their children to Monday’s clinic for different reasons.
Heather Chaney brought her daughter, Hayley, 10, to the vaccine clinic on Monday, saying her decision to vaccinate was for her safety.
“I think it will keep her from getting COVID-19,” Chaney said as Hayley was prepping for her dose.
Renee Montgomery brought her grandchild, Shaunee, 10, for similar reasons.
“There’s comfort in knowing that she’s going to be alright,” she told the News-Sun. “And we want to take the precaution for our family.”
Ross True brought his daughters Lily, 9, Ayona, 5, and Ella, 11, to receive their first Pfizer dose in order to protect his wife, Shannon, who has cystic fibrosis. He encouraged others who have relatives who are at-risk to also consider vaccinating their children.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Amy Tyler also brought her child, Poppy, 8, to Monday’s clinic. Her older children have already been vaccinated, and she told the News-Sun that Poppy would often ask when she could “get her shot.”
Tyler said that part of the reason she chose to vaccinate her children was because she wants to protect them, but also her relatives who are at-risk. Her father, for example, has emphysema, and his grandchildren were unable to see him for almost a year due to the pandemic.
“We want to be able to get back to normal,” Tyler said.
The Centers for Disease Control this month approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11.
HOW TO GET A VACCINE
Families hoping to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 can schedule an appointment with Rocking Horse for them by calling 937-525-4521.
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