By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters) – Anna Weber Kneitel booked her nearest COVID-19 vaccination appointment for her seven-year old son as soon as she learned that San Francisco Bay Area pharmacies were offering COVID-19 shots.

Rachael said that she would not get the vaccines for her son at 7 years old in Michigan despite having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

After months of anticipation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday gave the green light https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-cdc-advisers-vote-covid-19-vaccine-young-children-2021-11-02 for health professionals to start administering the Pfizer (NYSE:) Inc/BioNTechSE shot to children ages 5-11.

That left parents of roughly 28 million U.S. school-age kids facing the decision on Wednesday https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-start-giving-covid-19-vaccines-young-children-2021-11-03 about how to proceed.

This authorization is necessary because children in the United States are now able to attend school in person after having been remote-taught for more than a full year. Children can spread the virus from their parents to more than 25% of all U.S. infected children.

However, some parents who are already vaccinated against COVID-19 feel more nervous about doing so for their kids.

“We have a bunch of parents who are so happy that they want to give us a call as soon the vaccine is available so that they can schedule appointments… we also have parents still questioning,” explained Dr. Kimberly Montez. He’s an assistant professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Many parents expressed concerns about the inability to collect long-term data regarding the effects of the vaccine on their children below 12. It is not necessary, however, because severe COVID-19 has been less prevalent in children under 12.

LaPlante (41), is concerned about the rare instances of inflammation in the heart that could be linked to COVID-19, especially among young men. However, health professionals say there are much greater heart risks.

It is something I struggle with,” she stated. What if there’s long-term issues for boys?”

LaPlante continues to follow social distancing protocols and concealment protocols for infection protection, as does her husband.

According to her, their home-schooled son plays outdoors with his friends, and he also sees his cousins at baking parties.

Kneitel, 41, is a physician who wants her child and her daughter to be vaccinated so that the family can live a normal, more social lifestyle. Kneitel said that she was eager to see them return to ballet and sports, and to go to performances at the theater and concerts.

GROWING LESS HESITANT

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 25% of parents would like their child vaccinated right away. Another quarter prefer not to vaccinate.

Interviews with pediatricians and experts in public health revealed that parents seem to feel less anxious as the years progress.

Chrissie Jennette (41), Ellerslie Georgia said that she would get her young boys vaccinated as soon possible.

Jennette stated, “I understand there was concern about it being a rapid rollout. But there wasn’t a moment that I was worried.”

Claire Deaton (33), a small Alabama town, doesn’t plan on making appointments for her children in Enterprise.

While she has had her first COVID-19 vaccine, her husband, who is an ex-military pilot, hasn’t. He does, however, train and must be vaccinated to work. She said that both of them have received COVID-19 two times, with their children never getting sick.

Deaton indicated that even though her children received the standard childhood immunizations she believes the COVID-19 vaccine is not necessary.

She said, “If it started to change and affected more children or there was an epidemic in schools nearby, then I’d be more willing to get it.”