100+ Nebraska health care providers sign statement supporting vaccinating children

OMAHA — Physicians and health care providers across Nebraska are joining together to encourage the vaccination of children and teens against COVID-19.

On Tuesday, more than 100 providers signed a statement supporting kids ages five and older getting vaccinated. The statement is part of the new Max the Vax effort, which aims to keep kids safe and maximize their future.

The campaign’s website offers educational resources and a list of places to get vaccinated. Children’s Hospital President and CEO Chanda Chacón says as of December 1, 82,320 Nebraska children and teens have been vaccinated.

“This initiative was developed to provide families with vaccination resources and information straight from the source: Nebraska’s physicians and health care providers, the experts they know and trust,” Chacon said.

The campaign says that while instances of severe illness remain at a low level for children and teens, experts worry about youth passing the virus onto more vulnerable people. The American Academy of Pediatrics says more than 6.8 million children have tested positive since the start of the pandemic.

The campaign is funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Education.