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Protect Unvaccinated Kids During the Holiday Season

November 04, 2021

As the 2021 holiday season gets closer, it’s important to remember that COVID-19 remains a significant health threat. And even though vaccines are being given to children as young as 5 years old as of this week, it’s likely many kids might not be fully vaccinated by Thanksgiving.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 1 million child cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since early September. Most recover but even if kids don’t get sick from COVID-19, they can still pass on the virus to others, including older adults who are more susceptible to developing COVID-19.

If you are planning a Thanksgiving celebration that will include unvaccinated (or not fully vaccinated) children, here are some strategies from

As the 2021 holiday season gets closer, it’s important to remember that COVID-19 remains a significant health threat. And even though vaccines are being given to children as young as 5 years old as of this week, it’s likely many kids might not be fully vaccinated by Thanksgiving.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 1 million child cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since early September. Most recover but even if kids don’t get sick from COVID-19, they can still pass on the virus to others, including older adults who are more susceptible to developing COVID-19.

If you are planning a Thanksgiving celebration that will include unvaccinated (or not fully vaccinated) children, here are some strategies from Keith Grant, APRN, Senior Director of Infection Prevention for Hartford HealthCare, to make the holiday safer from infection.

Who’s On Your Guest List?

  • Invite only members of your immediate household.
  • If you must include others, invite only people you know are vaccinated.
  • Remember that the more people gathered together, the higher the risk.

The Risk Factor

  • Lowest risk is a virtual Thanksgiving.
  • Low risk is at home with your immediate household.
  • Moderate risk is outdoors with a few extra guests from outside your immediate household.
  • High risk is inside your home with guests from outside your immediate household.
  • The highest risk is potluck, in which everyone brings a dish.
  • Safer is a meal cooked and served by one person.
  • You should set a table large enough to accommodate physical distance when masks are removed for eating.
  • Multiple tables are better. Have one per household.