NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Many metropolis mother and father had been respiration a giant sigh of aid Tuesday as hundreds of youngsters began getting their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As CBS2’s John Dias reported, vaccine websites are popping up at colleges throughout the town to manage them. It was a plan already in place earlier than the brand new variant, Omicron, started to unfold.
READ MORE: NYC ‘Strongly Recommends’ Masks In Public Indoor Spaces, As Omicron Variant Reaches North America
Go to schools.nyc.gov/covid19 to see when and the place the pictures shall be provided.
COVID VACCINE
When the Delta variant first hit, youngsters in New York Metropolis weren’t eligible for the vaccine, however many mother and father Dias spoke to stated now that they’re, they really feel reassured that children shall be higher protected when Omicron arrives and shortly spreads.
“It felt fairly good,” 8-year-old Eddie Nash stated after getting his second shot.
Nash had the Band-Help to show it.
“I’m in all probability COVID-free proper now,” Nash stated.
His two 5-year-old brothers acquired the shot as properly.
“First, I used to be nervous. Then, I used to be completely happy,” Leo Nash stated.
And their dad was overwhelmingly relieved, since Omicron is predicted to be detected within the metropolis any time now, and is regarded as extremely transmissible.
“Whether or not there was this variant or one other variant round, I used to be going to do it. This simply reinforces my determination,” Patrick Nash stated. “It’s much more gratifying. You’re not questioning your self whenever you go someplace.”
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
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Cellular vans and pop-up clinics arrived again at choose metropolis public colleges Tuesday to manage the second doses of the Pfizer shot to youngsters 5-11 years outdated.
Many mother and father stated it occurred simply in time to beat again the brand new variant.
“Hopefully, it’ll come and go, versus ravaging all people like Delta did,” stated Robin Jaffey of Gramercy Park.
The rollout of the preliminary pictures at colleges just a few weeks in the past was bumpy, with many lengthy traces and, typically, not sufficient provide. However on Tuesday, mother and father and children stated it was a lot smoother, and lots of got here away optimistic.
“Now that I’m getting it, that’s yet one more individual on the planet who’s absolutely vaxxed,” fifth grader Sofie Michelle stated.
For assist, 11-year-old Ethan D’Fouza had his twin sister by his facet, as they each acquired the shot.
“She’ll make me really feel good and I’ll make her really feel good,” he stated.
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A Division of Training spokesperson stated, “Our colleges are among the many most secure locations to be throughout this pandemic attributable to our intensive, multi-layered method to well being and security.”
Because it stands, almost 45% of New York Metropolis youngsters age 5-17 have at the very least one dose of a COVID vaccine. The identical goes for 88.5% of adults.
“That is how we cease issues like this from evolving, from mutating. We hold youngsters and adults vaccinated, in order that we put an finish to this,” stated Lee Guzofski of Gramercy Park.
And as a reminder, you’re absolutely vaccinated two weeks after the second shot. So, youngsters getting the shot Tuesday shall be protected proper in time for Christmas.
