With the increasing debate over Covid vaccines for children and boosters for adults, Americans find themselves confused. As of November 2, 2021, the CDC says that children ages 5 and older now have approval to get vaccinated. Children 5-11 receive a separate vaccine from the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine given to adults.

The FDA says that the Pfizer vaccine meets the safety standards in order to be authorized for children 5-11. The CDC recommends everyone aged five and older gets vaccinated.

Students at the high school have different opinions about this topic, many with opinions as varied as the rest of the country. When asked about their thoughts, some seemed to be more certain than others.

“I don’t believe [the Covid vaccine] works, [children’s] immune systems are not as fully built as teenagers’ are, so if you’re going to give them the vaccine, it’s not going to work,” said senior Frank Sagat. “Their immune system is not strong enough to support it.”

However, when asked about a hypothetical scenario where he would consider vaccinating children of his own, Sagat’s response was different.

“I think it’s a good idea. It helps with Covid so you don’t get it as severely.”

—senior, Lindsey Horne

“I would do it [get them vaccinated] to be on the safe side, but personally, I believe it’s not going to work,” said Sagat.

According to Dr. Daniel C. DeSimone from the Mayo Clinic, the CDC says if you are fully vaccinated you can visit friends and family in person and resume social activities. Many people are getting the vaccine primarily for that reason—to return to some sense of normalcy as well as resume activities they were able to participate in before the start of the pandemic.

Another concern for many adults is whether or not the vaccine is safe. According to Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H. and Gabor David Kelen, M.D. from Johns Hopkins Health, the vaccine is safe and efficient at preventing fatal cases of Covid-19, with the risk of having serious side effects from the vaccine being very small. Many students feel getting the vaccine is an important step in protecting against the virus.

“I think it’s a good idea. It helps with Covid so you don’t get it as severely,” said senior Lindsey Horne.