How to Encourage Younger People to Get the Vaccine

As COVID vaccines become more generally available, is important to have ideas of what to say to encourage younger people, including children and grandchildren, to get the vaccine. Recently published by AARP, are some ideas of talking-points.

1. Vaccines provide protection from severe illness
​Children are not immune to Covid, they are seen winding up in the hospital with COVID-related Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome. The vaccine is very effective at preventing hospitalization and death in adults, and although it is not absolute how effective the vaccine will be in children, early reports are showing there is efficacy in young participants.

2. Widespread vaccinations slow surges
Data shows younger people are driving the current surge of COVID-19. and hospitals are overwhelmed with younger individuals. Coronavirus variants are spreading, and so far studies suggest our vaccines protect against these variants. Unfortunately, the more people infected right now, the more chance for new variants, which could possibly not respond to the vaccine.

3. You have more freedom (to spend time with friends and family and travel)!
You can do more things at a greatly reduced risk to yourself and others. You can do indoor mask-less gatherings with other fully vaccinated people. You can also travel domestically without COVID tests and internationally without quarantining when you return. 

4. COVID-19 isn't stopping soon
It is predicted that COVID-19 will never be eradicated and wide-spread vaccination is the only to move past the lockdowns and social distancing.

Tips when speaking with someone vaccine-hesitant:
Avoid being antagonistic and make sure to listen. Try to figure out their concerns and guide them towards reliable information. If they are afraid of possible side effects, let them know not everyone experiences side-effects, and those who do, experience short-lasting ones. Also it can helpful to note - the side-effects are generally the same, but less severe, as the symptoms one would experience if they contracted the COVID-19 virus.

Works Cited:
Nania, Rachel. “Reasons to Tell Your Kids, Grandkids to Get Vaccinated.” AARP, 19 Apr. 2021.