COVID-19 vaccine video ambassadors provide an understanding of the process that Alexandria City Public Schools’ (ACPS) families go through to make an informed choice in getting their children vaccinated. The ACPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center partnered with the Alexandria PTA Council (PTAC) to produce videos of parents and guardians who share how they came to the decision to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. At this time, Alexandria City’s COVID-19 vaccine rate among 5-11 year olds remains below other age groups, with 55.3% fully vaccinated in comparison with 99.2% of fully-vaccinated 12-17 year olds and the City of Alexandria’s overall vaccination rate of 77.2%.
In the testimonials shared in these videos, parents and guardians express their initial concerns which ranged from the vaccine’s effectiveness to possible unknown long-term effects in young children. Having access to accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine eased those fears. Hearing those facts reinforced by the people that families trust — like pediatricians, school staff and other parents — helped families consider the benefits of getting vaccinated and may help those who are still weighing the decision.
“I would encourage parents to talk to their doctors and pediatricians. They can explain more about the vaccine, what is best for your child and give you more information,” said Brigida Martinez who had her two children, ages 5 and 12, vaccinated. Argentina Ramos, the mother of a kindergarten student, adds, “It’s important for safety to take the precaution and get vaccinated.”
Vaccines help to protect our community from COVID-19 and to keep students in classrooms with their peers and teachers. “As a nurse and PTA leader, I feel very strongly that vaccination not only provides the best protection for children from developing serious illness from COVID, but also provides a safeguard for in-person learning while avoiding disruptive quarantines,” PTAC President Maureen McNulty said.
Since vaccinations became available to school-age children, ACPS has encouraged families to get vaccinated, when eligible, in order to keep our schools, students and staff safe. Families have a variety of options to get their children vaccinated including Alexandria Health Department (AHD) vaccine clinics, as well as private providers such as pharmacies and pediatricians’ offices.