Children and Covid: Your Questions, Answered

Key takeaways

Vaccination data for children aged 5-11 are still being collected, with availability expected in the fall, but full rollout will take additional time.
COVID-19 generally causes mild illness in children, but severe cases and fatalities, though rare, still occur.
The Delta variant is more contagious and may cause more severe illness, especially among unvaccinated children.
Vaccinating pregnant women can help protect infants through passed antibodies, but more research is needed on long-term immunity.
Parents should prioritize their family’s values and circumstances when making decisions about schooling and precautions, understanding that trade-offs are inevitable.
Safety in schools is achievable when layered precautions are taken, but variability in implementation poses challenges.

Summary

Introduction and Context of the Podcast

The podcast episode introduces itself as a discussion around the impact of COVID-19 on children and educational settings amidst a surge in cases due to variants like Delta. It emphasizes the importance of addressing parental concerns and navigating decision-making in uncertain circumstances.

The Development and Approval of COVID Vaccines for Children

Emily Anthes explains the current status of COVID-19 vaccines for children, highlighting that clinical trials for ages 5-11 are ongoing, with Pfizer and Moderna yet to submit their data for FDA approval. She discusses the safety concerns, particularly myocarditis, and how these are influencing trial expansions and regulatory scrutiny. The timeline suggests vaccines might be available for children in fall, but widespread immunity will take months due to necessary review and rollout processes.

Risks of COVID-19 in Children and Variants

The discussion covers how COVID-19 affects children, noting most infections are mild or asymptomatic, with severe cases being rare but possible. The impact of the Delta variant is discussed, emphasizing its increased contagiousness and potential for more severe illness, especially in unvaccinated children under 12. The concept of 'long COVID' in children is also addressed, indicating that long-term symptoms occur less frequently than in adults but are a concern nonetheless.

Protection of Infants and Young Children

The episode explores how vaccination during pregnancy might pass antibodies to infants, offering some protection. While promising, the extent and duration of this immunity are still being studied. CDC guidance now supports vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women as a safe measure to protect both mothers and children.

Decision-Making for Parents and School Reopening

Parents’ questions about sending children back to school amid the pandemic are examined, emphasizing that safety depends on multiple factors like local transmission, school policies, and family priorities. Emily suggests that families define their top priorities—preventing infection, protecting vulnerable relatives, or maintaining education—and make decisions based on these values, acknowledging the difficulty and individual nature of each choice.

Conclusion and Reflection on Uncertainty

The episode concludes with an acknowledgment that many decisions involve trade-offs and uncertainty. The key advice for parents is to establish their own priorities and to understand that navigating the pandemic’s challenges requires balancing risks carefully. The importance of community efforts, vaccination, and layered safety measures is underscored.

Show notes

As the number of coronavirus infections in the United States surges, and school districts begin to reopen for in-person learning, some parents are apprehensive and full of questions.

Recently, The Daily asked parents to send in their queries about children and Covid. We received about 600 responses.

With the help of Emily Anthes, a reporter who covers the coronavirus, we try to provide some answers.

Guest: Emily Anthes, a health and science reporter for The New York Times.

Sign up here to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, subscribe to our newsletter.

Background reading:

With the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, classrooms are opening their doors to a different pandemic. Here is how to think about risk.
What was supposed to be a new, relatively normal year has become a politicized, bewildering experience for many parents, students and educators.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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