To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in opposition of the mandates for COVID vaccines in children. To be clear, I am a vaccinated adult and my children are fully up to date on all other vaccines as indicated by their pediatrician. However, I base all decisions for my children on facts and conversations with my pediatrician.  The government should NEVER come between me and either of those two things.

As you are surely aware, the risks for most children as reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association is extremely low (0.00%-0.03%) and appear to only be impacting children with pre-existing conditions/comorbidities.  Full report can be read here: https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/

Given that information, I don't see any need to put anything into my child's body that is not necessary for their well being.  If my children had any comorbidities, I would gladly vaccinate them and I'm glad that children that do have these issues will have the opportunity soon to be protected, but a vaccinated person - whether a child or adult - is not at risk of death or severe illness from an unvaxxed person, so the idea of putting a foreign substance into a healthy child is unsubstantiated.  

Additionally, I would like to understand the financial implications behind the push to vaccinate children. Who is footing this bill? What are we paying? Are we pushing this to justify funds we've already paid?  Poor financial management on one hand is not solved by forcing policy on those that do not want or need it.  

At this time, I would like you to consider instead the opposite of this proposition which would be to give people/children/parents choice again.  Allow them to CHOOSE to vaccinate for COVID if they or their children are at risk. Allow them to mask if they feel that keeps them/their children safe.  Allow them to do what they need, but do not mandate to the masses what a few may want/need.

Thank you.