What to know when traveling with children

Families yearn for a sense of normalcy, but traveling and getting together for the holidays can be complicated with the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Even with more people receiving COVID-19 vaccines and new recommendations for booster injections for those 16 and over, there are still young children under 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated.

Nivedita More, MD, a pediatrician at Stanford Children’s Health, advises against non-essential travel, especially for children who are not vaccinated.

“Even if these children are masked, if they are not vaccinated, there is still a risk that they will be infected during transport, during the trip, on landing,” says Dr More. “All of these risks are still there.”

But if you do decide to travel, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against COVID-19 because it is safe and effective in reducing the risk and the spread of infection. So Dr More says to make sure everyone in your family and the people you visit are vaccinated if they can. And don’t forget about other seasonal vaccines, such as vaccine against influenza.

“We are now in the middle of cold and flu season,” she adds. “Whatever vaccines your child may get to protect against illnesses, they should get them before you even travel. “

If anyone is showing symptoms in your family or the people you visit, Dr More says to cancel the trip for safety. She also directs her patients to the CDC website to check what Spread rate of the COVID-19 community look at their destination to better assess the risk.

Car or plane?

To limit contact with the public, Dr. More encourages people to drive, especially if your child is too young to get the vaccine. When taking breaks at a gas station or rest area, remember to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and keep your distance from others. You can also pack your own snacks.

If you fly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest taking direct flights so you don’t have to cross another airport to change planes and take shorter flights if possible.

“If the flight lasts less than two hours, avoid eating or drinking if possible, so you don’t have to remove your mask,” says Dr. More. “And there’s a whole new side to traveling with babies and infants under two who can’t even be masked. My recommendation for families with children under the age of two is not to travel by plane at all. ”

Other tips for your trip

Besides general infection prevention measures and vaccines, Dr More has other tips to help you have a safe and smooth vacation.

• Make sure your child has the correct one Car seat or booster seat. Have an adult or an older sibling sit in the back with the toddlers for easy care.
• Do not entertain children with screen time on the road, especially if they are two years old or younger, as it can make them sick from cars.
• Prepare children for what to expect on the trip. If you are flying, explain the security process to them in advance.
• To relieve your child’s stress when traveling, try to stick to their usual routines as much as possible, such as sleep schedules and meal times.
• If you are renting a vacation home, remember that it might not be childproof. With young children, families are encouraged to bring a park to create a safe place for them.

While family traditions may have to be put on hold for a second year, the steps we take will reduce our risk and help us and our loved ones stay safe this holiday season.