SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Safe Ways To Celebrate The Holidays

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

October 27, 2021

As the holiday season quickly approaches, families are beginning to make plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Dr. Shephali Wulff, SSM Health director of infectious diseases and a practicing physician, said it’s safe for families to gather together this year, if everyone is vaccinated.

Currently, only people ages 12 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Health officials believe the Pfizer vaccine will be approved for kids 5-11 in the coming days. “Since people are considered fully protected two weeks after their second vaccine dose, children ages 5-11 should be safer to join an indoor Thanksgiving meal this year, compared to last year,” Wulff said.

For families with children ages 5five and younger, who aren’t eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, indoor activities with unmasked people is a risk for COVID-19 exposure. “The risk is lessened if all people are vaccinated. Vaccinated people are less likely to develop COVID-19 and are then less likely to transmit COVID,” Wulff said. “But the risk of developing the virus is not zero.”

Young children are less likely to develop a severe case of COVID-19 than older adults. Dr. Wulff advises families with very young children to weigh the risks and benefits of gathering with family and friends over the holidays.

Health officials said it’s crucial for eligible people to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to protect younger children, who aren’t yet eligible, and people who are immunocompromised, such as those undergoing chemotherapy. The CDC advises non-vaccinated people to wear a well-fitting mask over their nose and mouth in public indoor settings. Officials suggest that even people who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.

Holiday safety tips

• Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19

Holiday travel

• CDC recommends delaying travel for non-vaccinated people
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations

The number on tip from physicians is all those who are eligible get the COVID-19 vaccine before people get together and travel for the holidays. If you plan to gather with young children who aren’t yet eligible for a vaccine, everyone near them must be vaccinated in order to protect them.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.