The statement “getting the vaccine is like a Christmas present, it saves our lives” does not come from a politician or a scientist, but from a little boy who got his first jab against the corona virus on Tuesday.
The children who are being prioritised for the vaccine right now have health issues or are otherwise vulnerable, so they’ve often gone through a lot in their short lives. They are grateful to finally receive the jab that will protect them from Covid-19.
The little boy who made the poignant statement says he was a little scared of the needle, but it went well.
“Very well. I was a bit nervous at first, but it all went well. It didn’t hurt.”
The children being vaccinated by paediatrician Isabel de la Fuente are between 5 and 11 years old. As soon as they’re 7, 8 years or older, they know exactly why they are there.
“I’ve jabbed 10 children so far. They are all kids who’ve been waiting for the vaccine because they are chronically ill. They are all vulnerable and so their parents asked weeks ago to have their children vaccinated. They were all very motivated, as were the children, they wanted the vaccine.”
The needle is always what they are most afraid of, but they can talk about this and use some relaxation techniques to help the little patients.
The children Isabel de la Fuente has seen so far have done chemotherapy or are being treated for a heart disease. They have to take medication every day and the paediatrician explains to them that they still need to maintain the other health measures, because even two doses can’t provide full protection.
Her young patients have no trouble understanding this, she says.
