Readers see parallels with polio vaccines

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’s QUESTION: Should children 5 and older be required to have COVID-19 vaccinations, along with other required immunizations, to attend public schools in New Mexico?

“I am a Polio Pioneer. Today, we don’t have children in braces, using crutches or wheelchairs because of polio. The polio vaccine prevented that. Yes, all children should be required to be vaccinated against COVID. We have a solution to a deadly virus. We need to use it.”

— Marie Lobo, Albuquerque

“Absolutely not. In this state, we have had very few children die of COVID and they had comorbidities. Surrounding states have had children in school since this started, and most have them in school without masks now. If they can do it, we can, too.”

— Morris Williams, Grants

“Absolutely, all students need to be vaccinated for COVID when a vaccine is approved for the age group. Why? School buildings and classrooms are like petri dishes. Germs thrive and maladies spread. When students go home, they expose family, relatives and possibly anyone with whom they come in contact.”

— Walt Punks, Albuquerque

“No, of course not. Parents should be allowed to decide if their children should be vaccinated or not. No-brainer.” — Richard M. Rodriguez, Peralta

“Yes, children in school should be required to have the COVID vaccine. Aren’t they required to have other vaccines? This is not new.”

— John Gover, Rio Rancho

“No one should be required to get the COVID shot, no matter their age.” — Stephanie Allen, Albuquerque

“COVID-19 vaccinations should be treated as a public health issue and required, as any other vaccine, for children. I was a Navy brat and, at every new school, my mother had to show proof of vaccinations.”

— Walter Bishop, Elephant Butte

“Yes, I think kids should be vaccinated. Maybe kids (who are) not vaccinated could be placed with a teacher who refuses to be vaccinated and kept separated from other kids, and always masked when not in their own classroom.”

— Susan Selbin, Albuquerque

“Schoolchildren should not be required to be vaccinated in order to attend school. It is a human right to receive an education and that right, laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, does not have strings attached.”

— Patty Allread, Albuquerque

“Yes, and all early childhood education care settings.”

— Jessica Kelly, Albuquerque

“Yes. With the exception of medical conditions, all children should be required to be vaccinated.”