In the past few decades, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has realized thousands of dreams for terminally ill children. But in the past few days, this “good deed” organization has come under fire for asking children with a good wish to be vaccinated against COVID.
On Sunday, the foundation changed direction.
The foundation issued a statement on Sunday night saying that it understands that many children seeking aspirations cannot be vaccinated because they are sick, and “wish” they will no longer require these children to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The organization stated on its website: “We know that children from many families are not eligible for vaccinations, and we also know that some families choose not to be vaccinated.” “We respect everyone’s freedom of choice. We will continue to make a wish for all those who meet the conditions. Children make a wish. Making a wish does not require anyone to be vaccinated to achieve the wish.
“Any child who is struggling with a serious illness is eligible for a wish. Although it does not reflect the majority of the children we serve, we occasionally provide services for children whose children are determined by medical providers to be unviable. Timely-when it comes to a terminal diagnosis Regardless of the status of the vaccination, a special procedure has been and will continue to exist.”
The foundation continues to state that since the start of the global pandemic in early 2020, it has achieved more than 6,500 wishes for children and families (vaccinations are not available until later that year).
A few days ago, the foundation stated that if the vaccination standards are not met, it will not be able to provide blessings to children with good wishes.
“Now we have consulted with doctors and medical professionals from the entire National Medical Advisory Council,” said Richard Davis, chief executive of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, last week. “We have been monitoring public health organizations such as CDC And the American Academy of Pediatrics. “
Davis said the foundation will continue to provide wishes, including air tickets and overnight stays, to those who have completed the vaccination, whether it is one or two doses. He said they would not ask people to show proof of vaccination. But he did say:
“All hopeful participants, including your desired child and any siblings, need to be completed two weeks after completing one or two doses of the vaccine.”
The foundation said in a statement on Sunday that it hopes to continue to make the wishes of terminally ill children come true.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Make-A-Wish has safely fulfilled more than 6,500 wishes for children and families, including those who have not been vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated. We are currently and continue to achieve various wishes, For example, road trips to national parks, virtual celebrity meetings, outdoor theaters, shopping spree, accommodation, pet wishes, computers, room refurbishment and so on.”