Recently, I attended an outdoor socially distanced birthday gathering with my children. There were nine kids playing in a friend’s backyard, all full of energy yet careful to keep six feet apart and wear masks. The snack table featured individually packaged treats, and hand sanitizer stations were readily available. Seats were spaced out to ensure safety. Given that we have several friends with compromised immune systems in our circle, we adhered to these precautions, even though many adults are vaccinated while the kids remain unvaccinated.
On our way home, my son asked when children would be eligible for vaccination. He was aware I’d already received my first dose and was understandably feeling a bit of vaccine envy. These kids have endured a lot over the past year. They enjoyed the party, but it was a far cry from the celebrations they used to experience. They are eager to return to simple joys like hugging friends and sharing cupcakes without worry.
It seems unfair to them to witness adults getting vaccinated while they continue to follow strict isolation guidelines. They understand that vaccinations have prioritized older populations first and are gradually moving toward younger age groups.
We’re on the verge of significant progress; Pfizer initiated trials for ages 12-17 in July 2020 and more recently began testing for children ages 6 months to 11 years. Meanwhile, Moderna has also started trials for kids under 12 as of mid-March.
As more adults receive their vaccinations, many parents are left wondering about the safety measures that should still be observed when the majority of adults around them are vaccinated but the kids are not. If all the adults are vaccinated, can unvaccinated children play together? If so, can they remove their masks? What are the risks? We all want to avoid any actions that could prolong the pandemic or jeopardize anyone’s health.
What Experts Are Saying
Health professionals advise that unvaccinated children and teenagers must continue to follow the same safety protocols as before. This includes wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and practicing regular hand-washing and sanitizing.
Dr. Mark Jensen, a prominent pediatric infectious disease specialist, emphasized to the Washington Post that it’s still possible for kids to engage in activities “without increasing risks.” While younger children seem less likely to contract and spread COVID-19 compared to older kids and adults, they are not completely safe. “It’s not accurate to say that it’s a benign disease in children,” Dr. Jensen remarked.
Community transmission remains a significant concern. Even if adults at home are vaccinated, if a child is attending various gatherings with other kids and adults, they could still unknowingly spread the virus to others. Although it’s uncommon for children to become seriously ill from COVID-19, it can still happen, and some may experience long-term effects. With a vaccine for kids on the horizon, now is not the time to relax our vigilance.
Precautions to Consider for Kids
The CDC states that fully vaccinated adults can gather without masks. However, if gathering with families that include unvaccinated individuals (like kids), masks and social distancing are still necessary.
Experts suggest that kids can gather with safety measures, similar to the birthday party my children attended. Now is not the time for large indoor parties; small outdoor get-togethers with just a few friends, all wearing masks, are ideal. It’s even better if those families have been diligent about COVID precautions or if their adults are vaccinated.
If planning to send your child to sleepaway camp this summer, ensure the camp has strict quarantine protocols in place. A camp in Georgia last summer that only required masks for counselors and not for kids faced an outbreak of over 250 COVID cases. Conversely, a camp in Maine with rigorous quarantine and testing protocols successfully prevented any outbreaks among its large group of campers and staff.
As we approach herd immunity, it’s vital that we continue to follow the CDC’s guidelines to ultimately put an end to COVID-19.
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In summary, while adult vaccinations are progressing, children still face the same safety protocols to ensure their health and the health of those around them. As we await the rollout of vaccines for younger populations, it’s essential to maintain caution and adhere to expert recommendations.