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I heard that children and youth don’t transmit the COVID-19 virus to others. So how does my child or youth getting vaccinated help protect others?

Question: 

I heard that children and youth don’t transmit the COVID-19 virus to others. So how does my child or youth getting vaccinated help protect others?

Answer: 
Just like adults, children and youth can transmit (spread) COVID-19 to others. 
 
  • Early in the pandemic, children and teens were not often identified as spreaders of COVID-19. However, this was mostly because schools and activities were closed or not held in person.
  • Since things have opened up again, outbreaks among teens at camps, sporting events, and schools show that teens spread COVID-19.
  • Further, studies that looked at the risk of children and teens spreading COVID-19 to others in their households showed that they do spread the virus.
  • Children and teens can spread COVID-19 to others when they do not have symptoms.
Date last reviewed: 
Tuesday, Feb 14, 2023