Worth a Shot

Doctors and health experts strongly back COVID vaccination for kids. PARENTS aren’t so sure

- By Adam Piore

ABI HAMMOND HARDLY FITS THE profile of an anti-vaxxer. The 30-something gym owner and strength and fitness coach considers herself “middle of the road politically,” lives in blue state Connecticut and has not only kept her two children, ages 7 and 11, up to date on their vaccinations but also makes sure they get flu shots every year.

But she won’t be first in line if, as expected, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12 early next month. She’s not sure if she’ll get in line at all.

“I’m really conflicted,” she says. “Is the level of illness that significant in children? I don’t know what the answer to that is. Initially, you hear, ‘This is not serious for kids at all.’ And then it came time for the vaccine to be rolled out for kids. And it was like, ‘It’s actually very serious for kids, too.’ And I’m like, ‘Wait a second…’ The dialogue keeps changing. It’s confusing. And it’s become so political.”