With the FDA considering emergency-use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children 5-11, parents of that age group -- as well as those with older-but-as-yet-unvaccinated kids -- have what may feel like a momentous decision to make.
Parenting is full of decision-making, some easy and some not so much! From my point of view, two vital ideas ought to drive every parenting decision: 1) Trust your instincts, because you know your kids better than anyone; and 2) Be intentional, letting your values and the outcome you want guide the process.
I’ll grant you that the many unknowns during these pandemic times have raised the parenting stakes considerably, but the reality is that the decision-making process doesn’t change -- even when the decision is about vaccinating your children against COVID-19. There are five basic steps:
· Gather credible information
· Use the information to inform your thinking
· Weigh the risks vs benefits
· Make the decision
· Engage your kids in the understanding of your decision
Before you start, here are a few how-tos to guide you along the way.
Acknowledge the TONS of unprecedented decisions you’ve already made since the coronavirus first appeared in early 2020. I believe parents haven’t faced this level of uncertainty and anxiety -- nor have you had to make so many decisions with sometimes-limited information -- since the last pandemic a century ago! Just think about the time and energy you put into how to safely send your kids back to school this year. So please -- take a moment to reflect on how well you’ve done given the circumstances, and consider how what you’ve learned can help you move forward.
Don’t delay. While it can be tempting to postpone difficult decisions like this, the more time and attention you give the tough ones, the better the result. If getting started feels overwhelming, then schedule small blocks of time for each of the decision-making steps so you only take on as much each day / each week as feels manageable. Of course you can take all the time you need, but parents will want to know that the FDA decision is expected sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Get your facts from credible scientific and medical sources. As with everything coronavirus-related, it is incumbent upon parents to gather facts from reliable and credible sources. Naturally, pediatricians are a primary and trusted source of information for most parents. They not only understand the science behind vaccines, they’ve also been closely following your children’s physical health and can play a critical role in helping you make an informed decision.
The USA has three primary health agencies that deal with infection prevention and control -- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All three are keenly aware of the stakes for parents when it comes to vaccinating children. Their intent is to follow the science, and they are all taking steps to ensure the vaccines will be safe and efficacious for kids. Their websites contain regular updates and recommendations.
Be wary of social media when making parenting decisions. Since becoming a parenting coach, I’ve spent a lot of time researching how mommy bloggers and celebrity parents share their “advice.” What worries me the most is that their opinions are just that -- opinions -- driven by their values (which may not align with yours) and the outcome they are looking for, which may be followers. Given that, be extremely cautious about looking to social media influencers for advice about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. While it may be fun to follow the careers and antics of celebrities and other personalities, they are not reliable sources of scientific information. In fact, they may unwittingly be sharing misinformation that can divert your attention from the facts. Always question the veracity of what you view online.
Be confident in your final decision. Remember, if you’ve made the decision regarding vaccinating your children based on your values and what you believe is best for them, you can rest assured you did your absolute best. No parent can ask themselves for more.