On today’s Morning Media Update, The University of Kansas Health System reports a slight update in the number of COVID-19 patients today versus last Friday. There are 17 people with the active virus are being treated, an increase from 14 on Friday. Of those patients, two are in the ICU, down from five on Friday. One patient is on a ventilator. HaysMed has two active infections, up from one on Friday.
In today’s session, Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, and Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System introduced a panel of teenagers and one pre-teen about their experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine. The panel included Josiah Stewart, Ashlyn Goldsberry, Dylan Markey, Natalia Castillejos-Ramirez and Alice McConnell Curry.
“Be the Force,” Dr. Stites offered to the students in reference to Star Wars and encouragement to set an example for vaccinations. He gave them credit for telling their stories of how and why they got their vaccines and what that has meant for them, their family, and their friends.
Alice got her vaccine after her dad, who works for the Health System, scheduled it for her. “My whole family’s vaccinated basically and I thought it was a good idea. I wanted to be able to see my family again and kind of get back to normal and have a sense of security.”
Natalia, the youngest on the panel at 12 years old, received her vaccine at Johnson County Health Center. “I got vaccinated because most of my family is vaccinated.” She described feeling a little tired and achy after the second shot but feels perfectly fine now.
Josiah had siblings who weren’t able to get the vaccine yet and did get COVID-19, but fortunately they did not have serious cases. He said his dad was influential in supporting him getting the vaccine. “He got it early on and he made sure to let me know that he felt good about it.”
Dylan has been able to talk to his friends about encouraging them to get vaccinated. “I’d say about 90 percent of them are vaccinated or have at least gotten the first shot.”
He said he wanted to feel protected, especially as he is involved in extra-curricular school activities. “I play some sports and I want to feel free when I’m around them and I also want the people around me to be protected.”
Ashlyn got the vaccine because in addition to protecting her family, she also wanted to get back to normalcy. Her side effects were also minor. “I had body aches, but after that, I never had any side effects afterward and I feel 100 percent fine and healthy.”
Community questions included asking about the parents and if they were allowing their children’s friends and others into their homes. Natalia’s mother, Mariana, said that since close friends and family are vaccinated, there are no issues with that. Alice’s father, Sean, concurred. “Everyone in the family is vaccinated, so we do feel pretty safe, but we still take precautions.”
Ashlyn’s mom, Vanessa, added: “We know that the vaccines work and know that they are safe and -- we feel very comfortable.”
A question was posed about the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Southwest Missouri, wondering about a potential surge in the Kansas City area. “It’s about vaccine uptake and the amount of people vaccinated in your particular area. Not just that area, but other rural areas,” said Dr. Hawkinson. He said that lack of mask use, plus unvaccinated individuals, may be contributing to that surge.
Another question addressed the safety of sporting events – is it OK for vaccinated people to attend? Both Drs. Stites and Hawkinson said that sporting events, especially ones held outdoors, are safe for vaccinated fans.
A community question was asked about being around kids who are not vaccinated. “The key is – are you the individual vaccinated? If yes, then that’s good,” said Dr. Hawkinson. He also said that he believes Pfizer will have a vaccine for younger kids perhaps as early as the back-to-school timeframe. “We will hear about pediatric vaccination for younger age groups.”
