PEDIATRICIANS: Unvaccinated kids still need to wear masks

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS — a professional organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists — says kids who are unvaccinated and those who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination should continue wearing well-fitting face masks.

“Children under age 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, so it’s smart to be cautious and careful, especially when they are playing with friends, accompanying their parents to the grocery store, attending school or camp, and in any other situation in which they are around groups of people, some of whom may not be fully vaccinated,” AAP President Lee Savio Beers said in a statement.

Science has shown face masks significantly reduce the spread of severe SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections in schools and community settings. AAP says schools, child care programs and camps should continue to support the use of face masks for children and staff until the vaccine is available for younger age groups and vaccinations within the pediatric population are high enough to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Face mask use should also continue for unvaccinated kids playing indoor sports and outdoors sports that require close contact.

As of May 20, more than 3.94 million children had tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to a weekly report by the AAP and Children’s Hospital Association. The AAP recommends vaccinating children 12 and older who are now eligible for the federally authorized COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The shots are free at state-run sites and pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS. Arizona parents and guardians can register children ages 12 and older for vaccinations by visiting podvaccine.azdhs.gov or calling 844-542-8201. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids at healthychildren.org