The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) wants parents and kids in the state to feel comfortable with their children getting vaccinated for COVID-19.

On Thursday, March 10 from 6 to 7 p.m., state health officials are hosting a live “Fireside chat and Tele-town Hall” to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 and older.

Some of the topics included in the livestream will be:

  • COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness for kids ages 5 and up
  • Recommendations for pregnant women or those who might become pregnant
  • Availability of the vaccines for children

Participants will include family medical professionals and teachers who’ll offer information and share their thoughts on having their own kids vaccinated.

The fireside chat will stream live on NCDHHS’s social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Visit one of those to watch the event, which will begin streaming at 6 p.m.

Those watching will be able to submit questions.

The event also includes a telephone so that everyone interested can participate. Those wishing to join by phone can dial in by calling 855-756-7520 and using extension 79570#.

The promotional material for the event explains why people should care: “Children are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus just like everyone else. The vaccine provides a safe, tested way to keep them healthy, yet the majority of children who are eligible for a vaccine haven’t received their first dose …To date, only 26 percent of children ages 5-11 and 48 percent of adolescents ages 12-17 in North Carolina have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. In comparison, 76 percent of North Carolinians ages 18 and older have received at least one dose. Vaccination numbers for both children and teens are below vaccination rates for any other age group in the state.”

Those who are deaf or who face hearing issues can visit the following website to view the event with sign language and closed captions included: https://carolinascaptioning.1capapp.com/session/320566/view?mc_cid=33609d0222&mc_eid=01df2fc38a.