Throughout the past year, the term “herd immunity” has been a frequent topic of discussion. While we strive for it and make progress, do we truly grasp its meaning? Is it achievable with so many individuals stubbornly resisting scientific guidance, avoiding vaccinations, and neglecting to wear masks? Here’s what experts—those who dedicate their lives to medicine and research—have to say.
What is Herd Immunity?
So, what exactly is herd immunity? The Mayo Clinic defines it as “Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, significantly reducing the likelihood of its spread. Consequently, the entire community enjoys protection—not just those who are immune.” Achieving this is possible, but we need to increase vaccination rates, especially among children, since many adults are hesitant or outright refusing the vaccine.
“The Atlantic” reports that many adults are postponing vaccinations, with surveys indicating that one-fifth are outright rejecting it. If this trend continues, vaccinating children becomes crucial for any chance of achieving herd immunity.
The Risks of Unvaccinated Children
It’s essential to recognize that children can transmit the virus. Having a large number of unvaccinated kids congregating poses a risk, especially to their families, particularly when some adults at home also remain unvaccinated. The notion that “kids don’t get really sick from Covid-19” is simply untrue. While younger individuals generally experience milder cases than older adults or those with compromised immune systems, children can and do suffer severe illness. Numerous reports highlight children who have been hospitalized, faced long-lasting symptoms, or tragically passed away due to Covid. The long-term effects of this virus on both adults and children are still largely unknown.
For these reasons, getting as many kids vaccinated as possible is of paramount importance—not just for their well-being but for the health of our society as a whole. However, many parents are hesitant, partly due to a lack of understanding about the vaccine. Experts attribute this reluctance to a misunderstanding of the risks Covid poses to children.
Understanding the Severity of Covid-19 in Children
While the probability of severe illness in children is lower than in adults, “The Atlantic” suggests we should consider pediatric deaths in absolute terms rather than relative ones. “Hundreds of children have died from a preventable disease, and thousands have become seriously ill,” the article states. Approximately 14,000 children have been hospitalized across 24 states that report such data, and more than 3,000 have developed a severe complication known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after contracting Covid-19. Paul Anderson, director of pediatric infectious diseases at a major hospital, emphasizes that “The number of kids hospitalized and those who have died is significant and concerning.”
As the virus evolves, vaccines have shown effectiveness against emerging variants, making the need to protect our children even more critical. A January study highlighted that “hospitalization rates among individuals under 19 increased more than eightfold during the pandemic.” Alarmingly, about one-third of hospitalized children require intensive care, and the proportion of hospitalized Covid-19 patients who are children has risen from 0.8 percent last May to 2 percent now.
It’s clear that young people are not immune to Covid, and vaccination is necessary as the virus increasingly affects this age group.
A Sobering Analogy
Yet another perspective from The New England Journal of Medicine offers a sobering analogy: “Imagine a highly contagious virus spreading in the community. Many infected children may exhibit mild symptoms but recover without complications. However, some face severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. Adults, especially those at risk, have worse outcomes. Would you want your child vaccinated against this disease?” While we typically associate this scenario with measles—a disease we vaccinate against—it’s worth noting that the same logic applies to Covid-19.
Experts Perri Klass, M.D., and Adam J. Ratner, M.D., M.P.H. assert that “Vaccinating children will have both direct benefits (protecting against severe cases of Covid-19 and post-infection conditions like MIS-C) and indirect benefits (reducing virus spread).” These indirect benefits can also lessen the burden of parental illness, economic strain, and chronic stress.
Historical Context of Vaccination
Dr. Klass and Ratner reflect on the historical context of the measles vaccine, noting that many parents once hesitated to vaccinate their children despite being supportive of the polio vaccine. The reason? Many children survive measles with minor consequences. Sound familiar?
Despite the vaccine’s potential to safeguard our children and restore some normalcy to our lives, many parents are reluctant to have their children vaccinated. This hesitance puts the dream of herd immunity further out of reach, which is disheartening.
Addressing Vaccine Mistrust
“Currently, many Americans express mistrust regarding the safety of Covid-19 vaccines,” The New England Journal of Medicine states. “This sentiment is unsurprising in a climate where mask-wearing has become politicized, and social media amplifies skepticism about the severity—or even existence—of SARS-CoV-2.”
We must amplify the voices that counter misinformation with facts, credible medical research, and testimonials from pediatricians and infectious disease specialists advocating for the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
Doctors like infectious disease expert Sarah Thompson, M.D. report that “The vaccine not only elicits a strong immune response, but it has also proven to be very safe for children and adolescents.” The vaccine currently shows “100% efficacy and robust antibody responses.” Dr. Thompson adds, “Children’s immune systems usually have strong responses to vaccines, and this Covid-19 vaccine is no exception. Ongoing trials with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children as young as six months old are underway, and we expect them to be equally effective.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective. We need to get more individuals vaccinated—of all ages—if we truly wish to return to our pre-pandemic lives.
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In summary, vaccinating children is essential for individual and community health. Despite hesitance from some parents, evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines for kids. Achieving herd immunity and a return to normalcy hinges on increasing vaccination rates among all age groups.