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Matthew McConaughey Says He Will Not Be Vaccinating Kids 'Right Now'

Matthew McConaughey Says He Will Not Be Vaccinating Kids 'Right Now'

Earlier this month, the CDC recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for children aged 5-11

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Matthew McConaughey has revealed that he will not be giving his children the coronavirus vaccine 'right now', also revealing the reasons behind his decision.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for children aged between 5 and 11.

Clinical trials found that vaccine side effects among the age group were 'mild', the most common being a sore arm.

McConaughey, 52, said he and his wife Camilla Alves, 39, have been vaccinated, but have decided not to give the jab to their children - Levi, 13, Vida, 11, and Livingston, 8 - just yet.

Alamy

During the DealBook Online Summit on Tuesday 9 November, the star said: "Right now, I'm not vaccinating mine.

"I'll tell you that."

He went on to explain that he didn't believe in the conspiracy theories around vaccination, but simply wanted to find out more before making the step with his children.

"I didn't do it because someone told me I had to - [I] chose to do it," McConaughey continued.

"Do I think that there's any kind of scam or conspiracy theory? Hell no. We all got to get off that narrative. There's not a conspiracy theory on the vaccines."

He added: "I couldn't mandate having to vaccinate the younger kids. I still want to find out more information."

Alamy

The CDC has warned how Covid cases in children can result in 'hospitalizations, deaths, MIS-C (inflammatory syndromes) and long-term complications'.

In a media statement, released on 2 November, it said: "The spread of the Delta variant resulted in a surge of COVID-19 cases in children throughout the summer. During a 6-week period in late June to mid-August, COVID-19 hospitalizations among children and adolescents increased fivefold.

"Vaccination, along with other preventative measures, can protect children from COVID-19 using the safe and effective vaccines already recommended for use in adolescents and adults in the United States."

Endorsing the paediatric vaccine, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said in a statement: "Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation's fight against the virus that causes COVID-19.

"We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

"As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their paediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: covid, Entertainment, Celebrity, vaccine, Matthew McConaughey