Johnston Kids Age 5-11 Receive First COVID Vaccine
Mayor of Johnston Joseph Polisena, also a registered nurse, was there to help administer the vaccine.
JOHNSTON, RI (WLNE) –
Parents in Johnston were breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday evening as over 200 children ages 5-11 received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
For the parents of 9-year-old Jaden, the opportunity to vaccinate their son is one they say they have been looking forward to. “I’m a nurse so it’s logical for me. I see the whole other aspect of it where patients pass away, and I want him to be safe.”
Mayor of Johnston Joseph Polisena, who was on double duty as a registered nurse administering the Pfizer vaccine, says he’s hoping clinics like this will set the town back on track towards a sense of normalcy. “It’s gotta be difficult when you see the little children with masks in school.” Polisena gave the shot to 5-year-old Alex Forsberg and his 9-year-old sister Lexi, whose father Timothy says this is a day he’s been waiting for. “I wanna keep my kids safe. This is a scary disease, and I’m glad that the government finally approved this, and now my kids are on their way to living a somewhat normal life.”
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>“I’m a nurse so it’s logical for me, I see the whole other aspect of it where patients pass away and I want him to be safe.” 9-year-old Jaden’s mom, Vanessa, on why she’s taking her son tonight to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. <a href=”https://t.co/tuQPGhrObh”>pic.twitter.com/tuQPGhrObh</a></p>— EmmalynReid (@Emmalyn_Reid) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Emmalyn_Reid/status/1458581663231975425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
“We waited for the recommendation, we did our own research online. Really it’s protecting them, protecting others around them, and then being able to get back with family again and getting ready for the holidays,” says Johnston resident Mark McCranie, local Johnston resident. McCranie’s daughter, Gianna, says she has a list of places she’s hoping to go once she is fully vaccinated which includes swimming at the YMCA, returning to indoor activities without a mask, and visiting family.
To keep the kids entertained as they waited in line and observation, Minnie Mouse and a professional magician were on hand as firefighters administering vaccines handed out stickers, toys and candy. “We decided that we would do everything we could to make this an enjoyable evening for the kids,” said Chief of Police Joseph Razza.
Mayor Polisena says the Town plans to hold additional clinics at the Johnston Recreational Center, including one for adult booster shots of both Pfizer & Moderna in the near future open to all Rhode Island residents.
