How to reduce your child’s risk of COVID-19 if they are too young to be vaccinated

While all adults in the United States are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, parents of young children find themselves in an uncomfortable state of limbo. Fully vaccinated parents are protected against the virus, but their children under 12 are not even eligible for a vaccine.

While children are less likely to have a serious infection than adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noting that “most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or have no symptoms,” in de rare cases, children developed severe COVID -19 cases leading to hospitalization or death.

By early June, 4,000 children nationwide had developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious disease associated with COVID-19. There is also an element of uncertainty associated with any COVID-19 infection, as the long-term health consequences of having COVID-19 are not yet known.

Navigating between children and COVID is complicated. In the fall, vaccines will likely be approved for children under 12, but by then some parents are wondering how to keep their children safe as masks and social distancing guidelines loosen.

ABC News spoke with Dr Judith Flores, pediatrician and former head of ambulatory care at NYC Health + Hospitals, who has practiced for over 30 years, about how parents can reduce their children’s risk of COVID.

Q: My child is going back to school in person this year. What do I need to know?

You should start planning and asking questions, says Flores.

“I would also like to ask who is vaccinated at school and keep an eye on their environmental controls,” Flores said.

According to CDC guidelines for K-12 schools, “Consistent and correct use of face masks reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and, with few exceptions, is recommended for indoor use in people. 2 years of age and older who are not fully immunized. The CDC also recommends hand washing, improved ventilation, staying home when sick, social distancing and testing in schools to reduce the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. .

Depending on school orientations and your tolerance for risk as a parent, send your child to school with a mask. Flores noted that if she had a small child, she would make them wear a mask to school, especially early on, while you determine whether or not the school is doing a good job of protecting the environment.

But at the end of the day, it’s important to keep in mind that schools have so far been reasonably safe environments. “It has been well documented that children get sicker when they are at home with their families,” said Flores.

Despite this reality, some parents are understandably nervous. Flores works with families who have been hit hard by the initial wave of COVID-19 in New York City. Some parents and children are eager to return in person, she explained, adding that behavioral and mental support is essential, especially for children who have lost family members during the pandemic.

“It’s not just ‘Let’s make sure we have your list of teacher supplies this year,’” she said. “You really have to prepare your kids mentally – and yourself,” she said.

Q: Can I do something to reduce my child’s risk of COVID until they are eligible for a vaccine?

“The best way to take care of your child is for you, your family and your community to get vaccinated,” Flores said. “The risk to your child increases depending on the community in which you live or go to school. If your community has a low vaccination rate and a high infection rate, there is a greater risk that your child will get sick.

“If I was in Mississippi I would be very worried because the vaccination rate is low. So there I would keep a mask on my child and keep a social distance. If I lived in Massachusetts I might breathe a little easier, “she said.

Mississippi’s vaccination rate is lower than the national average. As of Monday, 37% of residents had received at least one dose and 33% were fully immunized, according to the CDC, compared with 71% of Massachusetts residents who received at least one injection and 63% who are fully immunized. .

Your child does not need to wear a mask in most outdoor environments because the risk of transmission is low, Flores noted, but it is a good idea to have them wear a mask in indoor public spaces, especially if ventilation is poor or the space is congested.

The same basic practices the CDC recommends for schools, such as hand washing and social distancing, are useful in reducing risks to children in non-school settings. You can also model wearing a mask for your child, even if you are vaccinated and technically don’t need it yourself. If you’re not going to be wearing a mask around your child, having a family conversation about why masks are important is essential, Flores suggested.

“It’s extra protection for you. Just like I would put a seat belt on you, I would put a mask on you this time around,” she said. “Children understand seat belts.”