Following the results of a Pfizer trial of the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-12, Albuquerque parents are reacting to what seems to be an inevitable future of vaccine mandates for children in the coming months. 

Pfizer has said that its latest trial shows that the vaccine can be safe for children aged 5-12, KRQE reported, triggering debate and discourse as to whether the vaccine should be given to children.  As part of the trial, kids from ages 5-11 were given two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart, and the effects have shown to be similar to those in adults.

A mother in Albuquerque told KRQE, “I believe COVID is a very real thing and has hurt a lot of people and has killed people, but I also think we have to look at the numbers and be rational about it. And until there are long-term studies, I think it’s the wrong thing to do to approve it for children that young.”

Another local mother had the opposite reaction, saying, “I’m just happy that they’re coming out with vaccines for kids. We’re very, very anxious to get them vaccinated as soon as they can.”

The contrasting reactions mirrors how Americans feel about the vaccine in general, with a significant portion of the population reacting with hesitancy when it comes to the vaccines that are available for COVID-19.