The other day, I picked up my kids from a socially distanced birthday party held in a friend’s backyard. There were nine children, all energetically playing while maintaining a six-foot distance and wearing masks. The snack table featured individually packaged treats, and hand sanitizer stations were readily available. Seating was spaced out to accommodate our friends, many of whom are immunocompromised. Even though some adults are vaccinated, many others still aren’t, and naturally, none of the kids have received their shots yet. These precautions were essential to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
During the ride home, my daughter asked when children would be able to get vaccinated. She knew I had already scheduled my first dose and was feeling a bit of “vaccine envy” — a sentiment many children share. They have been remarkably resilient over the past year, but the atmosphere at the party was a far cry from the carefree gatherings they experienced before the pandemic. They’re eager to return to simple, everyday joys like hugging friends and enjoying cake together.
It seems unfair to them that adults are getting vaccinated while they continue to follow strict isolation rules, even though they understand that vaccinations began with older populations and are gradually extending to younger age groups.
Pfizer initiated trials for adolescents aged 12-17 in July 2020 and recently began testing for children aged 6 months to 11 years. Moderna has also started trials for kids under 12 as of mid-March. As the adult vaccination rate rises, parents are left wondering what safety measures are appropriate when most adults are vaccinated but children are not. Can unvaccinated kids play together if all adults are vaccinated? If so, can they remove their masks? What risks are involved? No one wants to take actions that might prolong the pandemic or endanger anyone’s health.
What Experts Recommend
Health experts emphasize that unvaccinated children and teenagers should continue to follow the same safety protocols as before: wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and practicing frequent hand hygiene. Sean O’Leary, vice chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, noted that while younger children are less likely to contract and transmit COVID-19 compared to older children and adults, they are not completely exempt from risk. “It’s incorrect to view this disease as benign for kids,” O’Leary stated.
Community transmission remains a significant concern. Even if adults in your household are vaccinated, if your child interacts with various groups, they could potentially carry the virus, putting others at risk. While severe illness from COVID-19 in children is rare, it can happen, and some kids may experience long-lasting effects. With a vaccine for children on the horizon, now is not the time to relax precautions. The ongoing spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants only heighten the need for vigilance.
Precautions to Consider
The CDC states that fully vaccinated adults can gather without masks, but if children are involved, especially those who are unvaccinated, masks and social distancing are still necessary. Small outdoor gatherings with a few friends, where everyone wears masks, are advisable. It’s even better if you know the other families are taking COVID seriously or if their adult members are vaccinated.
If you’re planning to send your child to summer camp, ensure the camp has strict quarantine protocols. For example, a camp in Georgia that had lax guidelines experienced an outbreak involving over 250 individuals, while a camp in Maine with rigorous testing and quarantine measures successfully avoided any outbreaks among its 1,000 campers and staff.
We’re getting closer to normalcy. Each vaccinated individual acts as a protective barrier, preventing further transmission. As we work towards achieving herd immunity, let’s remain committed to the CDC’s guidelines so we can finally put an end to COVID-19.
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Summary:
As adults receive COVID-19 vaccinations, children remain unvaccinated and must continue following health guidelines. Experts advise maintaining safety measures such as masking and social distancing. Small outdoor gatherings are acceptable, but precautions must remain in place. With vaccines for children nearing availability, it is essential to uphold these practices to protect public health and prevent further spread of the virus.