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WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today questioned pediatricians and other child health experts on the importance of vaccinating kids to protect themselves, their families and communities during an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing. In addition to highlighting the effort to vaccinate school-aged children, the subcommittee also examined the physical and mental health impact of the pandemic on kids and young adults.

Watch Rep. Tonko’s questioning HERE and read remarks as prepared for delivery:

Among the best tools we have in our fight against this pandemic are safe and effective vaccines. 

Now that adolescents as young as 12 are eligible for these vaccines—hopefully with younger children eligible soon—they are playing an increasingly critical role in protecting millions of children in this country.

Understandably, parents are sensitive to safety considerations when deciding whether to vaccinate their child, even for children 12 and older who are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

QUESTIONS

• Dr. Beers, how safe and effective is this vaccine for youth, particularly compared to other routine immunizations, such as those against the flu and measles?

Dr. Rush, in your testimony you state that, “Tennessee is one of a number of southern states where there is a degree of vaccine unreadiness and misinformation.”  Polling such as that done by Kaiser Family Foundation shows that this hesitancy and misinformation may be shaping parents’ decisions about getting their teens and 12-year-olds vaccinated against the virus.

• Dr. Rush, what concerns have you heard from parents about vaccinating their kids and how do you respond?  How should parents be weighing the risks and benefits here?

So far we have been talking about kids 12 and older who are eligible for the vaccine.  But ongoing trials are evaluating the dosing, safety, and efficacy of the vaccine in children under 12.  I remain hopeful FDA will review that data as it is submitted, possibly in the next couple weeks.

Thank you for all you do to ensure the nation’s children.  It is because of work such as yours that I have faith that we will find a way to secure their health for the future.

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