As COVID-19 restrictions began to ease recently, my family was eager to reconnect with the world. We looked forward to taking my four-year-old daughter to the zoo, experiencing her first movie in a theater, and enjoying family dinners at restaurants. With my husband and I fully vaccinated, we felt secure participating in these activities. However, with no vaccine available for children under 12, we remain diligent about wearing masks and sanitizing to safeguard our daughter from the virus.
Reassessing Our Social Activities
Then came the Delta, Lambda, and other variants—dangerous mutations spreading rapidly. The Delta variant, in particular, is now recognized as exceptionally contagious, comparable to chickenpox, according to the CDC. (I remember the discomfort of chickenpox and am thankful for the vaccine that protects my child from those itchy spots.) With these new variants in our communities, I find myself reevaluating our family’s plans. Is it safe to take my child grocery shopping? Should we avoid indoor dining altogether? These decisions are challenging after a year and a half of limited interactions, and it appears we may need to retreat once more if the situation deteriorates and vaccination rates remain low.
What frustrates me most is that we might not be in this predicament if more people had chosen to get vaccinated from the start. Imagine if everyone eligible had received their vaccines early on—fewer infections would have occurred, preventing the virus from mutating into the grave threat it is today. Instead, I am left worrying for my daughter’s safety.
The Delta Variant and Its Impact on Young People
The Delta variant poses a particular risk to younger individuals, especially those aged 18-49, and even young children like my daughter are being infected and hospitalized. Dr. Alex Reed, an emergency medicine physician, reports seeing an increasing number of children in the emergency department with COVID-19, particularly those whose families are unvaccinated. “We had a case where the mother was vaccinated, but her partner refused, and their child ended up in the hospital,” he noted. “We’re seeing healthy young adults in their 20s and 30s suffering severe respiratory issues due to the virus. Our ICUs are filling up rapidly, and these patients may face long-term health complications.”
Dr. Mia Torres, also an emergency medicine physician, expressed her concerns as a mother of young children who can’t be vaccinated yet. “The rise in Delta variant cases is alarming. I worry every day about exposing my kids, even though I’m vaccinated. Health care workers are exhausted from this prolonged battle, and many families continue to suffer from its effects,” she said. Children are not immune to COVID-19; they can die or develop long-term health issues from the disease.
Vaccination Rates and Disparities
Approximately 4 billion of the world’s 7.9 billion people have received vaccinations, but only about 1 billion are fully vaccinated with both doses. In the U.S., only around 50% of the population is fully vaccinated, with disparities among communities. Black, Hispanic, Latino, indigenous, and other communities of color have lower vaccination rates due to access issues and lingering mistrust stemming from systemic inequities. The rollout in marginalized areas has been lacking, exacerbated by factors like limited internet access, lack of transportation, and insufficient community outreach. Consequently, people of color are experiencing higher death rates and increased risk of contracting the virus.
Moreover, many white adults, particularly in rural areas, remain unvaccinated. Over half of white adults choose not to get vaccinated, often due to refusal rather than access issues. Dr. Reed has engaged with many hesitant patients, emphasizing that contracting COVID-19 poses a far greater risk than getting vaccinated. “The vaccines are safe and effective,” he stated. “We need to consider the children in our communities.”
The Call to Action
My husband and I got vaccinated as soon as we could, but it’s disheartening to see friends and family still unvaccinated. I’ve heard every excuse, from “I’m not worried” to “I’ll wait until it’s fully approved.” With billions vaccinated and millions dead worldwide, this is not the time for complacency.
If you’re worried about vaccines given under emergency use authorization, I encourage you to research the extensive clinical trials and the rigorous process of vaccine development. It’s far more comprehensive than many realize, and these vaccines are not hastily produced.
Staying unvaccinated during this critical time is akin to playing a dangerous game. Now is the moment to take action. Protect yourself, your family, and our children by getting vaccinated. For more information on vaccines available near you, visit vaccines.gov.
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Summary
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with the emergence of variants like Delta, has raised significant concerns for families, especially those with unvaccinated children. Vaccination rates remain alarmingly low among certain demographics, leading to unnecessary health risks. It is crucial for individuals to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
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