Pediatricians say misinformation is a barrier to kids getting vaccinated

By
Jeff Chen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorageand Matthew Faubion, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage and Katie Anastas, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
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The CDC authorized COVID vaccines for kids aged 5 to 11 in November. But vaccination rates for this age group lag far behind the rates for older kids and adults. 

In Alaska, only 25% of kids aged 5 to 11 have received at least one shot. Nationally, 31% have.

As Katie Anastas reports, pediatricians in Anchorage say misinformation is a big problem as they work to help parents understand the vaccines are safe.

After multiple variant surges, most recently omicron, what do Anchorage residents think about continued mask use and other COVID-19 restrictions meant to promote public health? Reporters Jeff Chen and Adelyn Baxter stopped by Russian Jack Plaza in East Anchorage to get a sample of opinions. Here are a few of them.

RELATED: Pediatricians say misinformation is a barrier to kids getting vaccinated

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Matt Faubion is a multimedia journalist at Alaska Public Media. Reach him at mfaubion@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Matt here.

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