10-year-old Maya Gandhi Blaze Trail to immunize children with COVID-19 by participating in Rutgers University study – CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Just a few days later Centers for Disease Control approve Pfizer Vaccine for children from 5 to 11 years old, the White House announced that it has secured enough doses for every child in the United States.
The progress so far is thanks to the brave kids who stepped up and participated in the clinical trials.
CBS2’s Mary Calvi spoke to a young woman who had a very personal reason for volunteering.
In a way, Maya Gandhi was a typical 10-year-old. In others, she is quite extraordinary.
“I feel like this is something that I really want to do, that I can really make a difference,” Gandhi said.
It is a noble gesture from a child, profound when you realize Gandhi volunteered for children Vaccines against covid-19 testing.
“Are there any concerns about going in and getting this vaccine before any other kids get this vaccine?” Calvi asked.
“I was a bit scared because I heard about side effects and things like that. And it’s like being one of the first to test it for your age group,” said Gandhi.
VACCIUM-PROTECTION OF COVID
With her mother’s blessing and a call to her pediatrician, Gandhi became one of 100 chosen out of 2,000 subscribers. Rutgers University vaccine research.
“The fact that your mother is a doctor, has that influenced your decision?” Calvi asked.
“Um, I said maybe a little bit, but I still want to do it for me,” Maya said.
(Photo via Gandhi family)
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Nisha Gandhi is an ICU doctor at Englewood Health. She has seen the ravages of this disease from the very beginning from the front lines.
“It was horrible to see all these patients come in, you know, a lot of them died. Their families are separated and are not allowed to visit. It hurts, even now when we think about it,” said Nisha Gandhi.
Experts agree that vaccines are important to ensure those dark days don’t return, with children being part of the solution.
“The biggest question is, ‘Should I get my child vaccinated?’ And we said very strongly, “Sure,” said Dr. Jennifer Lighter of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.
Milder is a pediatric infectious disease specialist. Reactions are not uncommon but are easily treatable, she said, adding that the health risks posed by COVID are too serious to be ignored.
“You know, the risk of getting myocarditis from COVID is actually many times higher than with vaccination. Also, the virus itself can cause myocarditis in children,” says Lighter.
A PASSION OF CORONA VIRUS
But getting parents to agree to vaccinate their children remains a challenge.
Washington Heights is a neighborhood with high vaccine hesitancy. Yvonne Stennett, of the Community League, told Calvi the kids were leading.
“Those are the kids in school right now [who] be the ambassador for the rest of the family. So we can send the message through the young people who come to our school every day about their need to talk to their parents about their siblings,” says Stennett.
As for Gandhi, when an emergency use authorization was issued to give the Pfizer vaccine to children 5 years of age and older, Rutgers raised the blind in their study and informed her that she had received the vaccine. really, not a placebo.
“How proud are you of your daughter?” Calvi asked.
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“I’m proud of her. I am. I’ve never been more proud. She’s already a rock star. It’s amazing. It’s been amazing to go through this,” said Nisha Gandhi.
