Vaccinating Our Children 

From the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM)

Vaccination efforts are now focused on young people and as of June 3rd, about 20% of children ages 12-15 have received their first COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinating children against COVID-19 is essential in reaching herd immunity. Teens should see widespread vaccine availability by the time school starts in the fall, which may also enable some parents to more easily return to the workplace. 

Raising Rates: Increasing vaccination rates among children will require continued communication and outreach, particularly towards the parents who play a critical role in the success of these efforts. 

Younger Children: Children under 12 will likely be eligible for the vaccine in the fall and vaccine trials for children five and younger are currently underway. 

Vaccine Equity: There are nearly half a million foster and migrant children who may not be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which requires a guardian’s consent and vaccine consent laws vary by state.  

Resources:

The CDC has answers to parents’ questions on getting their children and teens the COVID-19 vaccine and evidence of the vaccine’s safety

NIHCM grantee, Journalist’s Resource, has gathered research studies that can provide journalists with background and sources so they can report on COVID-19 vaccines in children.

See the CDC’s recent guidance for summer camps, which says that vaccinated children do not need to wear masks.