az grown health
PEDIATRICIANS:
Unvaccinated kids still need to wear masks THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS — a professional
until the vaccine is available for younger age groups and vaccinations
organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical
within the pediatric population are high enough to prevent transmission
subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists — says kids who
of COVID-19. Face mask use should also continue for unvaccinated
are unvaccinated and those who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19
kids playing indoor sports and outdoors sports that require close
vaccination should continue wearing well-fitting face masks.
contact.
“Children under age 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, so it’s
As of May 20, more than 3.94 million children had tested positive
smart to be cautious and careful, especially when they are playing with
for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to a weekly
friends, accompanying their parents to the grocery store, attending
report by the AAP and Children’s Hospital Association. The AAP
school or camp, and in any other situation in which they are around
recommends vaccinating children 12 and older who are now eligible
groups of people, some of whom may not be fully vaccinated,” AAP
for the federally authorized COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The
President Lee Savio Beers said in a statement.
shots are free at state-run sites and pharmacies, including Walgreens
Science has shown face masks significantly reduce the spread of
and CVS. Arizona parents and guardians can register children ages 12
severe SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections in schools and
and older for vaccinations by visiting podvaccine.azdhs.gov or calling
community settings. AAP says schools, child care programs and camps
844-542-8201. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids at
should continue to support the use of face masks for children and staff
healthychildren.org
4 June 2021 RaisingARIZONAKids.com
