On March 31 Indiana opened up getting the vaccine for young people ages 16 and up. They are only allowed to get the Pfizer-BioNTech, according to USA Today.

Junior Elliot Quillo got the vaccine, along with his mom, in April. 

“I decided to get it so I could help hopefully get the world back to normal soon,” Quillo said. 

One third of the Indiana residents 16 and up have gotten the vaccine, according to USNews.

Junior Hadley Thompson has gotten the vaccine and says she made the choice in order to travel and not have to quarantine.

“I’m kind of in between, I think it’s good that kids don’t have to quarantine and miss school or sporting events, but also scary because we don’t know the long term effects of the vaccine in younger ages,” Thompson said.

Some side effects from getting the vaccine include headaches, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea, according to CDC.

“I felt a little tired [after I got the vaccine], but other than that I felt fine,” Thompson said. 

“ I only was a little sleepy after,” Quillo said.

Right now, the COVID-19 vaccine is not required by the state but many jobs are requiring the workers to get it.

Senior Jillian Ireland has not gotten the vaccine yet, but says she plans to eventually get the vaccine.

“I don’t believe it should be required to get the vaccine because no one should be forced to do anything they don’t want to do,” Ireland said.

However, some people feel that it should be required.

“ I feel like it should be required because it will do nothing but help,” Quillo said.

In Indiana, wearing a mask is not mandatory but many people still choose to wear one.

“I still wear my mask right now because there’s still a pandemic and I want to keep people safe until more people get the vaccine!” Quillo said.

About 40% of the total United States is vaccinated with at least their first shot. Many members from Thompson, Quillo, and Ireland’s family have got the vaccine. They are hoping things will get better.

“I really hope everything will go back to normal, if everything keeps rolling smoothly like it has been I feel like there’s a possibility it will,” Thompson said. 

Quillo and Ireland both say that letting 16 and up get the vaccine as a good thing.

“I do because it will allow more people to get the vaccine which will help us return to the normal state of the world soon,” Quillo said.

“It will help the pandemic come to an end and help people not get sick anymore,” Ireland said.