(NEW LONDON, CT) – Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz joined New London city and elected officials at New London City Hall to encourage parents and caregivers to vaccinate their 6-month to 5-year-old children against COVID-19.
Although most children have only mild symptoms when infected, COVID-19 can cause some children to become very sick, even to the point of requiring hospitalization. COVID-19 is the leading cause of infectious disease-related death in people up to 19-years-old, but data shows that those deaths can be prevented through vaccine.
Even for children who have had COVID-19, vaccination is recommended.
“We all know the damage COVID-19 has done to our country and our Connecticut communities, and it is important that we continue to be vigilant by keeping ourselves and our families safe, including our children,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “Now is the time to make sure that our youngest residents receive the same protection from severe COVID-19 disease as our school-aged youth and adults have had available to them for over a year. “
The Connecticut Department of Public Health also want to stress that there is no shortage of vaccines available for people of all ages and that anyone who has not been vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) should get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
Pop up vaccination sites like the one that will be in New London on Saturday, July 23rd are available throughout the state, in different towns in different counties almost every day of the week.
“We are here today with Lt. Governor Bysiewicz to promote the state’s pediatric vaccination program,” said New London Mayor Michael Passero. “The Department of Public Health will be hosting a mobile vaccine clinic here on Saturday, and it is very important that we get all members of our New London community vaccinated.”
“I want to thank Lt. Governor Bysiewicz for coming to New London and sharing the message of how important it is to get our state’s young children vaccinated against COVID-19,” said State Representative Anthony Nolan. “Today, I am here to support this initiative. Get the vaccine if you haven’t already gotten it. It’s important for us to think about how many people have been infected with COVID-19, and how many people we have lost due to COVID-19. We need to protect our seniors and most vulnerable. As your state representative and a police officer in the city, I’m urging you to get one today.”
“We are so lucky to be in this place where we have great access to COVID-19 vaccines, which have been proven to be safe and effective,” said Deputy Director of Ledge Light Health District Jennifer Muggeo. “In addition to the vaccination clinic being held on Saturday, we are hosting a number of community-based vaccination clinics at different events like farmers markets and events at school. If there is something happening, you can probably bet that you will be able to receive a vaccination there. Whether you are vaccinating your child for the first time or still need to be vaccinated yourself, please come down to one of our clinics, and we are here to serve you and answer any questions you may have.”
Ensuring high rates of vaccine coverage among all children has many benefits. Vaccinated children are not required to quarantine if exposed to the virus. High rates of vaccination also can help to reduce transmission of COVID-19 cases, and vaccinating children provides another layer of protection for other family members and the broader community.
To find a Department of Public Health mobile vaccine clinic near you, visit https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/DPH-van-clinics.
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For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 21, 2022
Contact: Chelsea Neelon