Immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and regular checkups keep children, families, and providers safe

After two long years, we are entering a new moment in the COVID-19 pandemic. So much has changed. We have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about the virus that causes COVID-19 and now have tools to help prevent severe disease, including having very effective vaccines and therapeutics. New guidance from CDC and the use of Community Levels now provide communities with important information based on their local situation. Notably, the FDA has announced that in June it plans to evaluate data on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old; if approved, parents will have another critical tool available to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. 

We share a commitment alongside parents and providers, to keep children and adolescents safe and healthy. Routine vaccines are one of our nation’s traditions that we know help us do just that, yet we have work to do to recover from setbacks brought on by the pandemic. According to CDC , a substantial number of children fell behind on their routine immunizations during the pandemic. Now is the time to encourage parents to get their children caught up on their routine immunizations. Routine visits  to a health care provider are important for children and adolescents: In addition to routine vaccinations , these visits provide an opportunity to screen for developmental milestones, track growth and development, and check on mental health . We know from other routine childhood vaccines that immunizations improve children’s health, and vaccination against COVID-19  is one more way we can prepare our children to thrive. Currently, only children five years and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters . Immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and regular checkups keep the whole community safe and will help to keep early childhood programs safely open and children learning.

It is important to also remember that some people and communities are still at significant risk for serious illness and hospitalization if infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, including children who have disabilities, those with a weakened immune system, and those under the age of 5 who currently are not eligible to get vaccinated. Early care and education programs and families face difficult decisions on how best to keep children and loved ones safe, decisions that should be made by taking both individual risk and Community Level into account. Layered prevention strategies remain key. Vaccination, for those who are eligible, remains the most important prevention strategy available. Other approaches , such as maintaining improved ventilation, hand washing and respiratory etiquette, wearing masks consistent with guidance, and staying home when sick remain vital.

Lastly, let’s keep in mind that CDC guidance is meant to supplement—not replace—any federal, state, tribal, local, or territorial health and safety laws, rules, and regulations. The adoption and implementation of this guidance should be done in collaboration with regulatory agencies and state, tribal, local, and territorial public health departments, and in compliance with state and local policies and practices.

We thank all the educators, service providers, parents, and guardians, for all that they do every day to keep children safe. They have worked tirelessly at the forefront of the pandemic, supporting healthy learning environments, and striving to keep a sense of normalcy during this unprecedented time. For more vaccine education resources to help you and your community, visit: https://wecandothis.hhs.gov/ and https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/bright-futures .