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Recently, I picked up my children from a socially distanced birthday celebration in a friend’s backyard. Nine kids were there, energetically playing while keeping a safe distance and wearing masks. We had individually packaged snacks and hand sanitizer stations set up, with seating arranged to ensure space between each child. Since several of our friends have compromised immune systems, we’ve been vigilant about these precautions. While many adults are vaccinated, none of the kids are yet.
On the way home, my daughter expressed curiosity about when children would be eligible for vaccination. She knew I had already scheduled my first dose and felt a bit of that “vaccine envy” that many have experienced. These kids have been incredibly adaptable over the past year, but they miss the carefree fun of pre-pandemic parties. They long for the simple joys of being close to friends and sharing treats without worry.
It feels unjust for them to watch adults receive vaccinations while they continue to follow safety protocols. They understand the rationale behind prioritizing older populations for vaccines, but it still stings.
We are nearly there; Pfizer began trials for ages 12-17 back in July 2020 and has just started testing on younger age groups down to 6 months. Moderna’s trials for under-12s began in mid-March after some initial challenges in recruiting participants.
As more adults get vaccinated, parents find themselves questioning what safety measures to enforce for their unvaccinated children. Is it safe for kids to play together if all the adults are vaccinated? Should they keep their masks on? What risks still exist? We all want to avoid any actions that could prolong the pandemic or endanger anyone’s health.
What Experts Recommend
Experts insist that unvaccinated children and teens should continue to follow the same safety guidelines as before. This includes wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and frequent hand washing. Sean O’Leary, vice chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, mentioned that while younger children may be less likely to contract or spread COVID-19 compared to older kids and adults, they still face risks. He emphasized that it’s incorrect to label the disease as benign in children.
Community transmission remains a pressing concern. Even if adults in your household are vaccinated, if your child interacts with various groups, they could potentially spread the virus. Although severe cases of COVID-19 are rare in children, they can happen, and some children experience lingering symptoms.
Precautions for Kids
While the CDC states that fully vaccinated adults can gather without masks, gatherings involving unvaccinated children still require masks and social distancing. Experts recommend that kids can gather with precautions, similar to the birthday party my kids attended. However, this is not the time for large indoor gatherings; small, outdoor get-togethers with masked friends are ideal. Knowing that the families involved are also practicing safety measures is beneficial.
If you’re considering sending your child to sleepaway camp this summer, ensure that the camp has strict quarantine protocols. Last summer, a camp in Georgia faced an outbreak after only requiring masks for counselors. In contrast, a Maine camp that implemented quarantine and testing protocols successfully avoided outbreaks.
We are on the brink of a solution. Each vaccinated individual is like a domino that helps prevent the others from falling. As we move closer to 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 vaccinations, children remain unvaccinated and must continue following safety protocols. Experts emphasize that unvaccinated kids still face risks, and community transmission is a concern. Parents are encouraged to maintain safety measures for gatherings, especially as we approach wider vaccine availability for younger age groups.