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What Iowa kids say about getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Health officials decided it’s safe for kids 5 to 11 to get a COVID-19 vaccine this month.
The new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine lowers a child’s chances of getting seriously sick and helps protect their family and community, according to the CDC. Thousands of Iowa kids have received a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine since its authorization.
We talked to three of them about what the shot felt like, why they wanted to get vaccinated, and what they would say to other kids about it.
Ellen Pannell, 8, of Iowa City
Q: What was the shot like?
A: It was worse thinking about it. Worse than the actual shot was. It wasn’t even as bad as the flu shot.
Q: What are you looking forward to doing once you’re vaccinated?
A: I’m looking forward to being able to go inside my friend's house, because my mom says we both have to be fully vaccinated.
Q: What would you say to kids who are scared to get a shot?
A: “It feels worse to think about it than to actually get it.”
Hadley Jasper, 6, of Marion
Q: What was it like getting the shot?
A: It hurt just for a little bit, and then it didn’t.
Q: Why did you get the shot today?
A: I wanted to get my shot to keep everybody safe.
Jack Young, 11, Iowa City
Q: What made you want to get the vaccine?
A: The fact that hundreds of thousands of people have died because of COVID. It’s concerning, it’s terrifying.
Q: How did you feel when health officials decided kids your age could get the COVID vaccine?
A: I was excited, and we scheduled as soon as we could.
Q: What are you looking forward to doing once you’re vaccinated?
A: Being able to actually go places more, and not having to wear a mask as much.