Kalgoorlie girl, 11, rolled up for WA and received her COVID-19 jab after weighing up the information

After receiving information about the COVID-19 vaccine, 11-year-old Kalgoorlie-Boulder resident Belle Mallory says she had no hesitations before getting her jab as soon as she could. Children aged five to 11 were invited to “roll up for WA” from January 10, with the cohort eligible for a smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine in two rounds. Despite being not a fan of needles, Belle received her first jab on that same day after she was given the information and the choice from her parents. “When the borders open, it means we have less of a chance of getting COVID, and we can visit family in aged-care homes, like I can visit my nan,” she said. “I wanted to get it. It would give me a little bit of protection.” Belle told the Kalgoorlie Miner her parents gave her information about the jab — including the benefits and possible side-effects — before letting her make her own choice. Her father Cameron Mallory said it was a “no-brainer” to allow his daughter the get the vaccine, but said he would have respected her decision if she chose not to get the jab. “It’s like anything really, when a child is born they’re given a multitude of different vaccinations at birth for different things that have been around for years and this is just adding another one,” he said. “We discussed it with Belle and Belle was given the option. Belle actually had the decision herself to make and she was given the information,” he said. “If she said ‘no, I don’t want it’ then it would have been a no and she doesn’t get it.” Mr Mallory said while the COVID-19 vaccine might not prevent his daughter from contracting the virus, he told the Kalgoorlie Miner the jab gave him confidence she would be protected from a serious case. “It’s just like the flu shot. The flu shot is not guaranteed to stop you getting the flu, but it’s going to seriously reduce the symptoms,” he said. “COVID’s is going to be around for a while . . . and it means Belle has that extra layer of protection against it. “If she does get COVID, she’s not going to feel as absolute crap like she would if she didn’t have the vaccination.” Belle said while the jab did hurt for a moment, it was worth it to protect her friends and family. According to the vaccine’s booking website, those aged five to 11 in Kalgoorlie-Boulder can get their jab from Kalgoorlie Population Health on Ware Street. Those aged 12 and over in Kalgoorlie can attend the Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex on Marshall Street for their first and second dose, as well as their booster shot.