Get eligible children vaccinated against the coronavirus

At least 60% of Illinois children between the ages of 5 and 11 have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest figures from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

That leaves just more than 36% of these children who have gotten the two Pfizer/ BioNTech shots the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended for this age group in November.

Now that cases are on the rise and the CDC has given the green light for COVID-19 booster shots for these boys and girls, it is a good time to remind parents to get their eligible children vaccinated.

Don’t put it off any longer. Schedule an appointment.

While most children who test positive for COVID-19 experience very mild symptoms, nationwide, thousands have been hospitalized and 180 have died from complications related to the virus.

Let’s not forget, as well, that grandparents, teachers, immunocompromised relatives and others can easily contract coronavirus from any infected person, including a child.

Eight Illinois counties — Boone, Lee, Stephenson, Winnebago, Champaign, Ford, Peoria and Tazewell — recently moved up to the orange “high” level on the CDC’s colorcoded coronavirus risk rating system.

Cook County is at the yellow “medium” risk level — for now.

Mask restrictions may have loosened in the city and surrounding suburbs and many residents are glad to get a taste of normalcy after being stuck inside.

But we aren’t and never have been in the clear.

We need to remain vigilant in the midst of a pandemic that has claimed over 1 million American lives. The more eligible children — and adults — get their initial vaccines and follow-up boosters, the safer we will be.

Pfizer and BioNTech, on Monday, announced a clinical trial had revealed that three low doses of its vaccine are 80% effective at preventing symptomatic Omicron infections in children under 5. Moderna’s data for its shots for children under 5 is being evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. So infants and pre-kindergarteners may be good to go for a jab soon.

In the meantime, the push to get all eligible children — and yes, any still-hesitant grown ups — vaccinated and boosted cannot let up.