A UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS PARENTS SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER GETTING THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

NOW THAT THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR KIDS AGES FIVE TO 11, DOCTOR AND U OF I PROFESSOR REBECCA LEE SMITH SAYS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS YOUNGER CHILDREN SHOULD BE VACCINATED. ONE IS THAT IT PREVENTS SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DEATH, WHICH ALTHOUGH LESS LIKELY IN CHILDREN, DOES HAPPEN. SECONDLY, SMITH SAYS EVEN KIDS WITH A MILD COVID INFECTION CAN SUFFER FROM WHAT'S CALLED "LONG COVID."

SMITH HIGHLY RECOMMENDS THE VACCINE BUT WHAT ABOUT LETTING KIDS BUILDING A NATURAL IMMUNITY? SHE SAYS THAT'S NOT THE ROUTE FAMILIES SHOULD TAKE, SINCE THE BEST PROTECTION IS PROVIDED BY THE VACCINE.

AND THIRD, SMITH SAYS ANYONE THAT IS VACCINATED IS LESS LIKELY TO BE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS IF THEY DO HAPPEN TO CONTRACT THE VIRUS.