Trump surgeon general says he plans to vaccinate 11-year-old as soon as possible

Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams says he will get his 11-year-old daughter vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Adams, who served in former President Trump’s administration, told The Dallas Morning News that both of his sons are vaccinated, and that he planned on vaccinating his daughter once children are eligible.   

“I’m a doctor, a former lab researcher, a public health expert — but I’m also a dad,” Adams told the newspaper. “And COVID was the No. 6 leading cause of death in this country for children in September.”

The former surgeon general also tweeted that he would vaccinate his daughter.

Been asked by a few reporters (and more than a few other people) if we will be getting our 11 year old vaccinated.
See answer below. pic.twitter.com/jVma6WKFYn

— Jerome Adams (@JeromeAdamsMD) November 3, 2021

Adams’s comments come as the U.S. gears up to extend its vaccination campaign to children ages 5 to 11.

Recent data suggest that children are getting infected and transmitting the virus as easily as adults, though half show no symptoms and they are less likely to become severely sick.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Pfizer and BioNTech’s version of the shot last week for children in that age group. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday cleared the way for the younger age group to start receiving the vaccine as soon as possible. 

White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said Monday that the vaccination program for younger kids will be fully operational next week.

Adams has been vocal about the need for vaccinations and allowing public health officials to make decisions amid orders barring local authorities from imposing mask mandates. 

Speaking to the Dallas newspaper, Adams said it bothered him that local leaders are having their authority taken away for political reasons and that people who are not vaccinated are being demonized. 

“We need Trump people and Biden people to get vaccinated,” Adams said. “We need to engage them all.”