By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky reiterated the agency’s call for parents to vaccinate their children.

In an email statement, Dr. Walensky urged parents who may have questions to speak with their child’s health providers or with local pharmacists or health departments.

“I strongly encourage parents to get their teens vaccinated, as I did mine,” Dr. Walensky asserted.

Until they are fully vaccinated, adolescents should continue wearing masks and taking precautions when around others who are not vaccinated to protect themselves and their family, friends, and community, Dr. Walensky continued.

“I ask parents, relatives, and close friends to join me and talk with teens about the importance of these prevention strategies and to encourage them to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Walensky.

“If parents or their teenagers have questions or concerns, I suggest they talk with their adolescent’s healthcare provider, local health department, or neighborhood pharmacist.”

On Friday, June 4, the CDC’s weekly report forced the agency to redouble its efforts to get adolescents and young adults vaccinated.

“Vaccination is our way out of this pandemic,” Dr. Walensky stated.

“I continue to see promising signs in CDC data that we are nearing the end of this pandemic in this country; however, we all have to do our part and get vaccinated to cross the finish line.”