HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — "What we do know about COVID is that kids do get sick from COVID. There have been 1.5 million adolescents that have been diagnosed with COVID. There have been 13,000 hospitalizations nationally and deaths related to COVID illness," said Dr. Kelli Stringer, a Huntsville Hospital pediatrician.
Stringer puts on her parent and pediatrician hats to say that getting vaccinated is much better than getting COVID.
"As a pediatrician and a parent, I can tell you that I absolutely support this vaccine for children, that the trials have proven that the vaccine is safer for children than COVID," said Stringer.
And that while things seem to be running smoothly right now, it's a good idea to get kids vaccinated before school starts back up.
"And I think while we're kind of in a lull right now, we expect in the fall COVID cases are going to increase. And so I think if we can do what we can a summer, while it's bright and everybody's healthy, to get the vaccines started in kids I think we're going to see that benefit in the fall on the school system," said Stringer.
Huntsville Hospital wants to do their part, so they are partnering up with schools here in the valley to extend their vaccination reach.
"We're partnering with the school systems here. So last week we were proud to go out to Bob Jones and did about 100, 120 students there, glad to do so and in the upcoming weeks we'll be with Madison County and Huntsville City, and we're also partnering with some of the private schools as well, to bring the vaccine to their, their location before school starts," said Huntsville Hospital's Senior VP of Operations, Tracy Doughty.
And although these efforts are being put in place - vaccination will not be required to attend public school.
"Huntsville City Schools will not require vaccination for students to attend school or any school-related events," said Dr. Clarence Sutton, Deputy Superintendent of Learning Supports.
But if you or anyone above the age of 12 is looking to get vaccinated, there is a chance to do so this Thursday at Huntsville High School's gym.
"The first dosage we administered this Thursday, June 24th, with the second doses on Thursday, July 15," said Sutton.
Huntsville High School's gym is located at 2304 Billie Watkins Ave. The clinic will take place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on both Thursday, June 24, and Thursday, July 15.