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On the verge of another COVID-19 surge Apr 16, 2021 | By Jennifer O'Hara (@jenohara)Comment receiving replies
Dr. Poland made a comment indicating that vaccinating youth <18 is critical now. In the earlier stages of the pandemic, I recall many reports saying that young people had a lower probability (<1%) of contracting the virus. If they did contract it the virus, the seriousness was very low. I do not recall reading of any deaths in under 18 year olds. What has changed that would make Dr. Poland say it is critical now for youth to get vaccinated?
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Great questions, @twcrowell. I will pass them on to Dr. Poland.
The short answer is that scientific and medical understanding of the virus is constantly evolving as the experts study the virus, its variants, the infection and the vaccines in all populations and age groups.
I'm glad you and your wife have been able to get both shots for the Pfizer vaccine already. Masks and distancing is still recommended because you can still become infected or carry the virus after vaccination. Here are the recommendations from the CDC.
- When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated: How to Protect Yourself and Others https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html