Vaccinations can put us on the fast-track to a post-pandemic reality
Public Health is happy to report that 12- to 17-year-olds are being vaccinated at a good pace. Currently, 36% of our students are partially or fully vaccinated. As a reminder, we are co-hosting a Pfizer vaccine clinic tomorrow at the Mayfield Junior School campus from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We encourage everyone to be vaccinated as soon as possible. With a high vaccination rate, if/when someone gets infected, there’s almost nowhere for the infection to spread to. When teens are vaccinated, it helps the entire community because their immunity prevents transmission of COVID-19 to others. While the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is lower for teens than adults, unvaccinated teens can increase the spread of infection, while those vaccinated help contain the virus. Once your daughter is vaccinated, even with only one dose, please send me a picture of her vaccine card. It is important that we are able to document how well vaccinated our student body is.
There continues to be COVID-19 transmission in California, particularly among those who are not fully vaccinated. For that reason, the State will be keeping its current masking guidance until June 15, and L.A. County and the City of Pasadena are doing the same. It is important to note that the CDC announcement last week was not meant to override current safety guidelines at local and state levels, and the CDC acknowledged the importance of maintaining local protections.
If you are already vaccinated, please do your part to help those around you who are not yet vaccinated feel confident that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and work. Every vaccinated person can be an influencer, and by sharing your story, you can make a difference—and even save a life. You can help remind loved ones that although getting vaccinated is a personal choice, it’s one that helps everyone.
Common reasons people are hesitant to be vaccinated:
- Hesitation: I plan to wait and see if the vaccine is safe and may get it later.
More than 100 million Americans have been fully vaccinated and public health agencies have been watching closely for any safety signals. The reality is that not getting vaccinated puts you at much higher risk of severe COVID-19, which can make you seriously sick for a long period of time, and possibly cause lasting damage.
- Hesitation: I am concerned about possible side effects of the vaccines.
It’s understandable to worry about not feeling well, but it’s important to know that side effects from vaccines are temporary and not harmful—unlike COVID-19, which can cause serious illness with lasting damage.
- Hesitation: I don’t believe I need a COVID-19 vaccine because:
- I am young and healthy
- I am practicing precautions like wearing masks and social distancing
- I have already had COVID
It’s still important to get vaccinated. As more and more people get vaccinated, the virus will have fewer people to infect and community transmission will go down. If you already had COVID, the immunity you get may not be as strong or long lasting as the protection you can get from a vaccine. There’s also the added convenience of not having to quarantine if you are exposed and or after traveling.
- Hesitation: I don’t trust COVID-19 vaccines.
All of the required regulatory steps—including safety and efficacy—were taken to produce these vaccines; they just happened in a condensed period of time because we were in a pandemic.
- Hesitation: I am concerned about having an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
People with severe allergies to foods, certain medications, latex, bee stings, or venom can safely receive vaccines. People who have a severe allergy to polyethylene glycol, one ingredient in the vaccine, should be cautious and consult their doctor before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
With summer quickly approaching, being vaccinated will help everyone enjoy summer activities more safely, stay healthy and resume school in the fall in a more normal way. If you need more information or facts, the CDC, NIH, and the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center websites are good places to start. Please contact me if you have any concerns or questions regarding the vaccines.
Stay healthy!
Cathy Cota, RN, BSN, PHN
Remember the 3 Ws: wear a face covering, wash your hands, watch your distance
Avoid the 3 Cs: crowds, confined areas, close contact
Practice the 3 Rs: relationships, routines, reassurance
Practice the 3 Rs: relationships, routines, reassurance
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
