Kids Speak Out About Getting Vaccinated

Story by Paris Dozier. Photo courtesy of inews.com.uk. 

It’s a fact as old as time that parents generally know what’s best for their kids, but is that always true? Covid 19 has opened a lot of controversial discussions over the last two years, and this stands true when it comes to getting vaccinated against the virus. No matter what vaccine people are considering, people have all types of ideas on whether or not vaccination against Covid is a good idea. However, this is a seemingly adult-dominated conversation, and generally kids—even ones who do get vaccinated—don’t have many chances to voice their opinions. Let’s see what kids have to say about getting vaccinated.

Are you scared of needles?

Christopher: No, I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m scared, but when I was little, yeah. 

Anonymous: Depends on the size to be honest. Since I’m only 12, they still give me needles that they give babies so when they up the size, I'm definitely gonna need some adjusting.

Marcellus: No

Are you vaccinated? If so, did you choose to be?

Christopher: Yes. My mom did say that we should get it, but she said it’s up to us.

Anonymous: No. That’s all I’m willing to say about that.

Marcellus: Well, I'm vaccinated, but I didn’t exactly choose. My mom took me to get vaccinated out of nowhere because I had to get to school, but I wasn’t really against it.

How do you feel about getting/being vaccinated? Does it scare you at all?

Christopher: Pretty good I guess, at least now I know it helps my immune system take care of it. No, it doesn’t scare me. 

Anonymous: I'm not scared, I just don’t think it’s necessarily for me.

Marcellus: All it’s done is make me sore for like a week each shot, so no I’m good.

Does it worry you how quickly this vaccine came to be?

Christopher: It worried me at first, which is why I waited a couple months to see how it affected others and then when I was finally ready to get the vaccine I went to my grandfather's church and got it.

Anonymous: Yes. I feel as though since the pandemic was fairly new when the vaccine came out, how did scientists figure out a “cure” so quickly?

Marcellus: The fact that cancer is harder to cure still impresses me, but I stopped getting worried after a while.

Would/does being vaccinated make you feel safer?

Christopher: Yes 

Anonymous: I believe I already am safe.

Marcellus: I don’t exactly feel that different from the start of Covid. For me it happened and I just gotta get through it.

When I hear adults discuss their opinions on COVID and how people should deal with it, I feel like they generally share the same common ideas. In my interviews, though, I heard opinions from children with different experiences as it pertains to COVID and the vaccine. Some didn’t want to be vaccinated and were, while some felt safe as they are. If any adults who have kids are reading this article, maybe you should take some time and ask them how they feel about being vaccinated. Even if you don’t agree with their opinion, what’s the harm in hearing them out?

Paris Dozier is a 7th grade scholar at Friendship Woodridge International School.