Tulsa Parents Encouraged To Vaccinate Children Against COVID Before Classes Start

www.ktul.com   By Tyler Butler   As kids in Tulsa County prepare to head back to school, they’re getting all the supplies they need and their mandatory vaccines, but what about the optional ones? “In Tulsa County, really about 35.6% of the population ages 5-17 have received at least one COVID vaccine. So about one-third… The post Tulsa Parents Encouraged To Vaccinate Children Against COVID Before Classes Start appeared first on The Oklahoma Eagle.

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Aug 13, 2022 - 12:18
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Tulsa Parents Encouraged To Vaccinate Children Against COVID Before Classes Start

www.ktul.com

 

By Tyler Butler

 

As kids in Tulsa County prepare to head back to school, they’re getting all the supplies they need and their mandatory vaccines, but what about the optional ones?

“In Tulsa County, really about 35.6% of the population ages 5-17 have received at least one COVID vaccine. So about one-third of the people have at least some of that protection from vaccination,” said Ellen Niemitalo, clinic service manager at the Tulsa Health Department.

Niemitalo is in charge of immunizations for the Tulsa Health Department.

“Over 41,900 people aged 5-17 have gotten at least one COVID vaccine,” she said. “At least 3,000 of those have been administered by the Tulsa Health Department.”

Unlike one year ago, vaccines are now widely available in doctor’s offices and to children as young as 6 months. While it’s not required, she says it’s highly recommended.

“In Oklahoma, in the last 90 days, there have been over 50 children hospitalized with COVID-related illnesses,” she said. “That is really high, especially if vaccination could have prevented some of those hospitalizations.”

With other vaccines to address newer variants in the works, NewsChannel 8 asked if parents should wait for those or go with what’s available now. Niemitalo says to take the vaccine available now.

“As new vaccines may be coming out, those recommendations may change, and there may be additional vaccine recommendations,” she said. “Going on what those recommendations are today, I would encourage parents to consider that. Talk to your primary care provider and seek the advice of medical experts too.

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The post Tulsa Parents Encouraged To Vaccinate Children Against COVID Before Classes Start appeared first on The Oklahoma Eagle.

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