The COVID-19 pandemic has almost approached the two-year anniversary of the start of lock down, and it feels like the world is approaching normalcy. The journey to going back to normal has been challenging. To get there the community as a whole has had to take many measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Something Utah as a whole has been doing is providing free COVID-19 testing at various locations and providing free vaccines. Some things that the CDC advises to help for individuals is to still wear masks in public, indoor places; stay home when sick; wash your hands regularly; and if available, get the vaccine.
On December 21, 2020, the Pfizer vaccine was approved for individuals 16 years and older. According to NPR about 58% of the total United States population has been fully vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated have less of a risk from COVID-19 or severe illness by 90%, according to the CDC. Before the vaccine was approved for children a way of protecting them from COVID-19 was to have them wear masks and have the people around them be vaccinated.  Within the week of November 8th, the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine was administered to children within the ages of 5-11 years, it will expand to about 28 million children. Although the virus has affected more adults than children, the vaccine can help to prevent them from getting severe illness.   The vaccine is a two-dose vaccine that is taken three weeks apart. The side effects are very mild, and the typical symptom is a sore arm. Even with limited symptoms some parents are concerned for the safety of the vaccine and are hesitant to have their children vaccinated.  The CDC is taking measures to guarantee safety and provide families reassurance. According to the official CDC website, “COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reducing their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.”