Over the past year, we’ve all made sacrifices—some more than others. Healthcare workers, educators, and public health officials have prioritized the needs of their communities above their own. Many have lost jobs, and tragically, countless lives have been lost to this pandemic. The impact is overwhelming.
Our children, in particular, have endured far more than they should have been forced to. They’ve missed out on face-to-face interactions, said farewell to their teachers, and adapted to living their lives through a small computer screen. When schools reopened, they wore masks for hours on end, all while demonstrating incredible resilience.
I am genuinely impressed by how well most kids have handled this situation—better than many adults, in my opinion. However, it’s taking a toll on them.
This is why I feel an intense frustration when I think about those who refuse to get vaccinated because they “don’t believe in it.” Seriously—your choices are negatively impacting everyone.
We were making progress. After the vaccines were rolled out, COVID-19 cases in the U.S. drastically fell, and life began to resemble normalcy again. Then the Delta variant emerged. With less than 70% of adults vaccinated, it began to spread rapidly. Now, cases are rising across all states—some seeing increases of over 10% compared to the previous week. In Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the U.S., cases surged by 500% in just one month, leading to a renewed mask mandate.
This situation was preventable, and our children are suffering because of the more than 30% of adults who remain unvaccinated.
Currently, children under 12 cannot receive the vaccine, leaving them reliant on masks and social distancing as their only defenses. As many school districts make masks optional and social distancing becomes nearly impossible, young kids are in desperate need of adult support to combat this terrible virus.
Dr. Maria Gonzalez, a vaccinologist at a leading medical center, emphasized that if vaccination rates among both adults and adolescents aged 12 and older continue to lag, the youngest members of our population will bear the brunt of the impact. “Transmission will continue to accelerate,” she warned, stressing that unvaccinated kids will pay the price alongside younger children who depend on vaccinated adults to help slow the spread.
Despite some claims, kids can and do get sick. Reports from states like Mississippi indicate that children are being hospitalized due to COVID-19, with some needing intensive care. Dr. Gonzalez noted that up to 30% of infected children may develop long-term effects, which can be severely debilitating.
What we are asking of our kids is simply unacceptable. They have given so much and have sacrificed their personal well-being to protect vulnerable adults. And yet, some individuals respond by refusing to get vaccinated, jeopardizing the health of our children. It’s infuriating.
The facts are clear: vaccines are safe and effective. Let’s not be the reason our kids have to endure even more hardships.
For more insights on navigating these challenging times, check out this other blog post, which addresses related issues. Also, if you’re exploring the fertility journey, Make a Mom offers excellent resources. Additionally, Kindbody is a fantastic source for pregnancy and home insemination information.
- Why is vaccination important for children?
- The impact of COVID-19 on children’s mental health
- How does the Delta variant affect kids?
- Vaccination rates and their effect on community health
- What parents need to know about COVID-19 vaccines
Summary:
The refusal of adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is negatively impacting children, who have already made significant sacrifices during the pandemic. With vaccination rates lagging, children under 12 remain vulnerable and depend on adults for protection. The situation is dire, and it is crucial for adults to step up and get vaccinated to protect the younger generation.
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