This is your guide to how a child’s age and other factors impact vaccine eligibility and how schools can take antiviral precautions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still regularly updating the public on the fight against COVID-19. More than 200 million people in America have so far received vaccines, and nearly 100 million have taken at least one booster. Hospitalizations and deaths are finally showing a marked decrease, but there is still a lot of work to do in making sure those figures stay on a downward curve.

One of the most important areas involves putting a healthy distance between COVID-19 and children. Parents and teachers want to know when kids can be vaccinated, in what manner, and what educational facilities can do to follow best health practices. This guide will provide a vaccine eligibility update and explore how to prevent the spread in schools to create a safer space for our kids.

COVID-19 and children: risks and authorized safety information

The COVID-19 pandemic’s effects are serious enough by themselves. CDC pediatric data reveals that children and teenagers may be left with even more health problems post-infection. The same data also notes that vaccine coverage among children and adolescents is lower than in older groups.

This worrying situation is due in part to:

• Vaccine-hesitancy in parents
• A mix of regularly evolving information from health authorities and misinformation from unauthorized sources

There is a lot of reliable pro-vaccine information available to help reluctant parents understand and accept that vaccines are safe and effective for children. The CDC has prepared a sheet of FAQs regarding infant vaccination designed to help healthcare workers, for example. The information is equally accessible for parents and addresses such common concerns as vaccine safety, natural immunity, and side effects.

COVID-19 and child eligibility at a glance

Of the vaccines available from the three authorized manufacturers – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – none are permitted for children four years old and younger. The general recommendation from the CDC is that every child five years and older is eligible for primary vaccination. You can find a provider nearest to you through ~ .~ Vaccines.gov

Here are some additional facts:

• The Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine is the most favored by the CDC and is being recommended for children aged 5 to 11 and 12 to 17.
• However, only children aged 12 and older are currently eligible for booster shots (the second dose in a primary vaccination series does not count as a booster).
• Moderna is recommended by the CDC only for those aged 18 years and older.
• There are of course exceptions with some children and adolescents unable to receive a vaccine based on factors like allergy history and current health status.
• Best practice is always to discuss each child’s individual circumstances with their healthcare provider who can help make a sound decision regarding a vaccine.
• Your healthcare provider will also be able to administer the proper amount of the vaccine based on the recipient’s age.
• The vaccine used in adolescents cannot be used for children ages 5 to 11 who receive a very small amount ( 0.2 ml ), for example.

A vaccinated child attending school stands a greater chance of remaining healthy even if exposed to COVID-19. Educators have to do more than rely on each child’s vaccination to keep everyone on the premises protected, though. This involves a concerted effort in several directions.

How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools

Educational environments are often densely populated indoor spaces. This makes it important for children and adolescents to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status due to the constant proximity to their peers, educators, and any visitors to the facility.

The CDC has extensive recommendations that K-12 schools can follow beyond universal masking that apply to anybody on school property to help create a safer, healthier space. The recommendations cover every base ranging from quarantine guidelines and physical distancing to educational access to testing .

The communal aspect of schools means students aren’t just sharing space; they’re also sharing supplies and equipment. A .) dedicated disinfection program promoting handwashing and sanitization is thus vital to maintaining a sterile environment that further helps to erect barriers between COVID-19 and children. Here is what to know:

• Shared surfaces like desks, chairs, play items, and door or window handles have their own set of cleansing rules .
• Following these creates a second disinfection schedule that adds another layer of school protection provided the recommended agents are used.
• Educators are reminded that the various types of touched surfaces present in schools require specific types of care .

Health authorities cite proper ventilation as a valuable antiviral tool. Schools should allow for free air flow in all spaces as much as temperatures and environmental conditions comfortably permit. The Department of Education released a comprehensive resource containing many suggestions – like accessing American Rescue Plan funding and optimizing HVAC systems – to help schools boost ventilation quality through measures.

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