Why I Regret Not Vaccinating My 12-Year-Old Against COVID — A Cautionary Tale

This is my 12-year-old daughter, Emily. Recently, vaccines became available for her age group, and I thought I had time to prioritize it. To be honest, I was scared, and we were living as if the pandemic was behind us, so I assumed I could wait.

I sent her off to a summer camp, and she returned on July 1st with a stuffy nose. At first, I brushed it off as allergies from the campground. When she didn’t improve by July 5th, I decided to take her to the doctor to rule out a sinus infection. During that visit, they performed a PCR COVID test, and while I waited for the results, I learned that her camp was canceling future sessions due to a COVID outbreak. My heart sank, and shortly after, I received the positive result for Emily.

Initially, her symptoms were mild: she had a reduced appetite, nasal congestion, and fatigue. However, on July 9th, she developed a high fever of 104.6°F, which forced us to seek urgent care. She was incredibly ill, vomiting, and close to fainting. The diagnosis was pneumonia in her lower left lung, along with her COVID infection. We were prescribed antibiotics, an albuterol inhaler, and oral steroids. I believed that her worsening condition was due to bacterial pneumonia as a complication of COVID.

Over the next few days, her fever fluctuated between 100-101°F, and her fatigue and lack of appetite persisted. I knew that pneumonia could be tough on the body, particularly with COVID, so I tried to remain patient until July 14th. That morning, Emily came to the kitchen, panting and hunched over. She wanted breakfast but struggled to breathe. Frustration took over my fear, and I asked her not to be dramatic, warning I’d call an ambulance if she didn’t calm down. Four hours later, I realized that’s exactly what she needed.

After a bit of food, we returned to her bed, but her condition didn’t feel right. I reviewed the discharge papers from her last visit, which indicated she should be fever-free within a few days of starting antibiotics. We quickly decided to go back to urgent care.

I knew she was in serious trouble, but I had no idea how dire it was until we arrived. Because I mentioned her COVID status, they initially wanted us to wait in the car, but first, they checked her pulse and oxygen levels. Her heart rate was 135 bpm, and her oxygen saturation was at a dangerous 82%. Immediately, the staff sprang into action: she was given oxygen, and they called for EMS. I lost it; it was a devastating moment. I felt so helpless and foolish.

Emily had to ride in the ambulance alone, while I drove frantically and cried. Upon arriving at the ER, I was met with two nurses and a physician attending to her. The doctor bluntly informed me that had Emily been vaccinated, she wouldn’t be struggling for oxygen or experiencing such high heart rates. She was breathing 32 times per minute. I felt the frustration and exhaustion of the healthcare workers around us.

In a matter of hours, my worries shifted from vaccination concerns to whether she had a pulmonary embolism and which city we might have to rush her to if her condition worsened. I was terrified. I kept texting my mom to pray, not wanting to reveal the gravity of the situation. Fortunately, her blood tests showed no signs of a clot, and we secured the last PICU room in Springfield.

Lessons Learned from Our PICU Experience

What I have learned about COVID through this ordeal is crucial. For anyone still skeptical about the virus or thinking the pandemic is over, here are some pointers from our PICU experience (and we were among the lucky ones):

No visitors or medical staff in isolation — you’ll learn to manage everything yourself.
Nurses don full PPE each time; make a list of supplies when they come to check on your child.
Prepare for anxiety; alarming codes can be distressing for young patients.
Be ready to assist with bathing and toileting your child; it’s an exhausting task for them.
Bring blankets and pillows to make sleeping in a recliner more comfortable, along with antacids for stress-related stomach issues.
An eye mask can help block out light, and non-scented lotion will help with dry hands from constant washing.
Expect to feel emotionally isolated while also needing support.
Your child will likely experience a range of emotions; patience is key.
Your belongings may be treated as biohazard waste to maintain isolation.

Emily is a bright, caring kid who loves Jesus, science, and math. She can’t vote or engage in political discussions; she is just a child who depends on my decisions for her well-being. On July 14th, my political beliefs or voting record didn’t matter; what mattered was that I hadn’t vaccinated her, leaving her to battle COVID in a severe way.

We live in a county with alarming COVID statistics, and I fear the epidemic is far from over. As we approach the fall semester, many social gatherings remain unmasked.

I am grateful for the prayers and support we received; I know that without divine intervention, Emily’s condition could have been much worse. She is home now, but the isolation continues for a total of 20 days without seeing anyone outside our immediate family or leaving our house.

Please consider masking, vaccinating, and practicing social distancing. Regardless of your beliefs, we are still fighting against COVID and its variants. Emily appreciates you for taking the time to read her story.

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In summary, I urge all parents to prioritize vaccinations for their children. My recent experience has shown me firsthand the importance of this decision, and I hope that sharing my story helps others make informed choices.

Keyphrase: COVID vaccination for children

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