Letter: Unvaccinated are putting people at risk

Editor,

It has come to our attention that there is an increase of COVID-19 cases on Whidbey Island A number of these cases have been children, one of whom is hospitalized and seriously ill.

So far in this pandemic, children have been blessed by being less likely to catch and spread the illness and become seriously ill if they do catch it.

We feel that we can no longer count on that as we head toward the new school year.

The one thing we can do about this as a community is to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are as safe or safer as the other vaccines that we use. Literally hundreds of millions of doses have been given with remarkably few side effects. Several of them are extraordinarily effective.

If enough people in the community get vaccinated, it greatly increases the likelihood that all of us will be safe.

The time to hesitate is passed.

If you are an adult and have not been vaccinated, please do so now. Even if you think that you have no contact with children, do it now. If you are ages 12-18 and care about your family and friends, please get the vaccine now.

It takes about five weeks from the first dose to get full protection and you want to have that before school starts. Getting the vaccine protects you personally, but it also protects your family, your community and your country. Not getting it puts everyone else at risk.

Pediatric Associates of Whidbey Island

John Beumer MD, Amy Garrett MD, Michelle Gasper MD, Bob Wagner MD, Sarah Poyen MD, Hannah Carlson ARNP, Debby Leffler ARNP, Heather Good PA-C