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Follow up: What to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

I do believe that overall the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risk. And the risk of the virus certainly outweighs the risk of the vaccine.Dr. Maureen Nemetski

 

Thank you for your partnership in vaccinating our children.

With the FDA’s emergency use approval for the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11, our congregations were honored to come together to learn from Dr. Maureen Nemetski. Dr. Nemetski is a pediatric emergency medicine attending physician at Hackensack University Medical Center—Joseph M Sanzari Children’s Hospital, as well as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. 

Dr. Nemetski discussed vaccine updates for our children under the age of 12. As a Jewish community, we learn that pikuah nefesh the value in Jewish law that preserving human life supersedes all other mitzvot (commandments). 

For more information, please explore the session video, slideshow, blessing, and parent resources below.

 

Blessing by Rabbi Rebecca Weintraub:

 יְהֹוָה רוֹפֵא כָל־בָּשָׂר וּמַפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת

God who heals all of humanity and creates wonders before us:

Thank You for sustaining us and bringing us to this awe-filled moment.

Bless us and our children as we become Your partners in healing our world.

Give our children courage as they receive this vaccine, a gift of science, a miracle in our time. Let this be a fresh start full of hope, connection, and most of all health for all as we take on the sacred task of Pikuah Nefesh – saving lives – elevating Your holy spark within each human soul. 

 

Resources: 

CDC

NY Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

American Academy of Pediatrics

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

JOWMA

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee October 26, 2021 Meeting Documents

Summary of the VRBPAC meeting:

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Nov 2-3, 2021 Meeting Presentation Slides

Summary of ACIP Meeting

CDC Covid Data Tracker

Israel’s Ministry of Health Coronavirus web