The mother of a profoundly disabled 13-year-old has said she “can’t make him bulletproof” but getting him vaccinated will let him “live and experience life”.
Donna Quinn’s son Logan, who has had his first dose, has serious respiratory problems and a rare neurological condition.
He is one of about 4000 children in Scotland with neuro-disabilities and other conditions to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine under new guidance.
Earlier this month, the Scottish Government announced children aged 12to 17 with certain conditions would be offered a Pfizer vaccine, in line with recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Donna, 48, from Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, said: “We’ve done as much as we can. I can’t make him bulletproof but I can just do as much as I can to move forward and start living again.
“He’s about to be 14 next week and I’ve had to have faith in science and medical experts for him to be alive today.
“It was for him to live and experience life and be with friends and family.”
Anne Kelly, the mum of 13-year-old Erin, who has epilepsy and cerebral palsy, added that she had been waiting for the clinical advice to recommend vulnerable children for inoculation.
She said: “It was so that we’re kind of protecting the kids at the school, she wants to be around her friends. It was always going to be done if there was the option of getting it done.”
Both children attend the specialist Craighalbert Centre in Cumbernauld, which provides expert integrated therapy and education for children with neurological conditions.
It stayed open three days per week during the lockdowns last year, with group leader Alison Phillips saying the vaccination development is “a welcome step”.
She added: “Everything we do is focused on promoting children’s well-being.
“We’ve had all staff double vaccinated, and we encouraged parents to do so as well.”
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