Adults Are Getting Vaccinated, But Kids Still Have to Wait — Here’s Why

Recently, I attended an outdoor birthday celebration for kids, where safety measures were still in place despite the growing number of vaccinated adults. There were nine children running around in a friend’s backyard, all maintaining distance and wearing masks. Snacks were individually packaged, and hand sanitizer stations were readily available. Seating was thoughtfully spaced out to ensure safety, especially since we have friends who are immunocompromised. While many adults are vaccinated, the kids remain unprotected, which leads to continued precautions.

During our drive home, my son expressed his desire to know when kids would be eligible for vaccinations. He had seen me receive my first dose and couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. After enduring a year of restrictions, these kids are eager to return to the joys of normalcy, such as hugging friends and sharing cupcakes without worries.

It seems unjust to them to see adults getting vaccinated while they still have to follow strict guidelines. They understand that the vaccination rollout started with older populations and will eventually include them.

Current Vaccination Trials for Kids

We are on the brink of change. Pfizer initiated trials for children aged 12 to 17 back in July 2020 and has recently begun testing on younger children aged 6 months to 11 years. Meanwhile, Moderna, which faced challenges in recruiting participants, started its trials for kids under 12 in mid-March.

As the adult vaccination rate rises, parents are left wondering what safety measures they should continue to enforce for their unvaccinated kids. Can vaccinated adults allow unvaccinated children to play together? If so, can they remove their masks? What are the potential risks? No one wants to unknowingly extend the pandemic or jeopardize anyone’s health.

Expert Guidance on Safety for Kids

Experts stress that unvaccinated children still need to follow the same safety protocols as before. This includes wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and practicing good hygiene. Sean O’Leary, vice chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases at the American Academy of Pediatrics, noted that while younger children seem less likely to contract or spread COVID-19, they are not entirely risk-free. “It’s not accurate to label COVID-19 as harmless for kids,” he explained.

Community transmission remains a significant concern. Even if the adults in your home are vaccinated, if your child interacts with various groups of kids and adults, they could inadvertently spread the virus. While severe illness in children is rare, it can still occur, and some children may experience long-term effects. With a vaccine for kids on the horizon, now is not the time to relax safety measures. The emergence of new variants adds further uncertainty regarding transmission and vaccine effectiveness.

Recommended Precautions

The CDC states that fully vaccinated adults can gather without masks; however, if children are present, masks and social distancing are still necessary. That said, kids can interact safely with precautions, just like at the birthday party my kids attended. Small outdoor gatherings with a few friends are ideal, especially if their families are also committed to COVID safety and have vaccinated adults.

If you’re considering sending your child to a sleepaway camp this summer, ensure the camp has rigorous quarantine protocols. A camp in Georgia that only required masks for counselors faced a major outbreak, while a camp in Maine that enforced strict quarantine and testing successfully avoided any infections among its campers.

We are nearing the finish line. Each vaccinated individual acts like a domino that helps prevent the others from falling. As we move closer to herd immunity, let’s adhere to CDC guidelines and work together to end the pandemic.

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Summary

As adults receive vaccinations, children remain unprotected, prompting continued adherence to safety protocols. Experts recommend maintaining masking, social distancing, and hygiene for unvaccinated kids as they await their turn for the vaccine. Outdoor gatherings with precautions are acceptable, but large indoor events are still risky. As we approach herd immunity, let’s keep following safety guidelines to finally overcome COVID-19.