Kane County families giving thanks for pediatric vaccine
Aurora resident Dalila Sanchez couldn't wait for her young children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and is urging other Latinx families to "trust the science."
"I know it is a touchy subject, but I would tell people to trust the science and get your children vaccinated," Sanchez said. "I think there is misinformation being shared but I truly don't understand why."
Sanchez, who has three children, ages 15, 8 and 4, is thankful that the pediatric vaccine became available for her 8-year-old daughter.
"My parents got COVID (last) December and my children are very close to them and couldn't see them for several months. It was a lot for them to deal with," Sanchez said.
In addition, her aunt died of COVID and her daughter has been suffering from anxiety ever since the loss.
"My 8-year-old, Alicia, got vaccinated Nov. 6 at a local Walgreens in Aurora," Sanchez said. "She has had a lot of anxiety due to COVID and has had to go to a counselor because it's been difficult for her to process her feelings about it. She wanted to get vaccinated."
Theresa Stellman of St. Charles also has three children, ages 9, 5 and 3, and was so excited when the pediatric vaccination became available so that life could get back to some normalcy.
"I'm so excited and now I can't wait for my youngest one to be eligible," Stellman said. "I want them to be safe and I am hoping to get them back to a normal childhood as quickly as possible, so we are doing our part to help that along," she said. "They were so excited to be vaccinated also, and my 9-year-old wanted to be part of the solution."
Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog urged families to get their loved ones vaccinated against COVID-19, especially with the continued high transmission rate within the county.
"By getting your loved ones vaccinated, you are doing your part to help our community slow the spread of COVID-19 as more of our residents start gathering indoors during the winter," Pierog said. "In addition, the Kane County Health Department is recommending that as many family members as possible get vaccinated to increase protection."
Appointments are now available for pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations at the Kane Vax Hub in Batavia at www.KaneVax.org. Appointments began Wednesday, Nov. 10, and more appointments are being added weekly. Children age 5 to 11 are eligible for the vaccinations.
Pfizer-BioNTech is given as a 2-dose set, with the second dose given 3 weeks after the first dose.
The Kane Vax Hub at 501 N. Randall Road in Batavia is open Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Individuals that are 5 to 17 years of age can only receive the Pfizer vaccine and must have a parent or guardian's signature on the Pfizer consent form. Pfizer-BioNTech consent forms are available to download from www.KaneVax.org and www.KaneHealth.com. Parents are encouraged to consult with their pediatrician.
Elgin mom Kate McCormack, whose children are ages 3 and 5, said she is so thankful that her 5-year-old was vaccinated as it "lifts a layer of worry that's present every day when he is in school." She encourages other families to get their children vaccinated as well.
"Absolutely I really encourage everyone to make appointments as soon as possible," McCormack said. "That way they can have additional protection going into the holiday season of everyone getting together."
McCormack said that because she has high risk family members, they have been extra cautious about indoor activities with their children.
Once her 5-year-old is fully vaccinated though, she looks forward to taking him to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and signing him up for indoor winter sports classes.
"We've been very careful. We haven't been doing indoor dining or any indoor activities - we do outdoor playdates and that's it so we are looking forward to doing more things indoors with them now that winter is coming," McCormack said.
Stellman said although she knows the holidays won't be exactly the same as pre-pandemic, she is nonetheless looking forward to some family traditions.
"Well, I think we will still keep Thanksgiving small as the kids will not be fully vaccinated yet, but we are hoping our Christmas will be as normal as it was pre-pandemic. Hopefully we can go see Santa Claus again."
For additional information and current updates about COVID-19, visit www.KaneHealth.com or call the health department at (630) 208-3801 and select the COVID line.