Vaccinated parents with unvaccinated kids: Tips for navigating multiple travel guidelines

After more than a year of pandemic restrictions, many families in the United States are eager to travel. With rising vaccination rates, summer travel plans are on the horizon for many.

A study on summer travel trends by TPG and Healthline Media (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) reveals that 50% of U.S. adults plan to take at least one vacation this summer, a figure that increases to 54% among vaccinated individuals.

An online survey conducted by American Express in January 2021 found that 65% of participants intend to travel once they and their family members are vaccinated against COVID-19. American Express Travel consultants report a growing interest in family-oriented vacation options.

What about families with young children who aren’t eligible for vaccination yet? On May 10, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 and older. Pfizer anticipates approval for kids aged 2 to 11 by September. While this is encouraging news for those eager for a return to normal, many summer travel plans remain uncertain.

The question arises: Should vaccinated parents travel with their unvaccinated children this summer?

This question involves many factors, such as the mode of travel, destination, and planned activities. It’s also crucial to consider if unvaccinated individuals have any health issues that could heighten their risk of severe COVID-19. While serious illness in children from COVID-19 is uncommon, it can still occur.

Dr. Jenny Yu from Healthline Media's Medical Affairs team states, "Symptoms in children resemble those in adults: cold-like symptoms, fevers, coughs, red eyes, and COVID toes. Fewer kids require intensive medical care compared to adults. However, the primary concern is the potential development of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), which can necessitate pediatric ICU care."

Bridget Shirvell, a Mystic, Connecticut resident with a 2-year-old and an autoimmune condition, views the risks through a different lens, despite her daughter not having any underlying issues. "What troubles me most about COVID with a young child is the lack of data on long-term effects," she shares. "I fear she might contract it and suffer lasting consequences. My experiences with chronic illness make me more cautious than others. For now, I’m planning only drivable road trips with her and avoiding indoor dining."

Dr. Yu emphasizes that there are precautions to reduce risks. "Maintaining hygiene practices like wearing masks indoors, seeking outdoor activities, and steering clear of crowded places is essential," she advises.

As you plan summer travel with children, consider these important factors.

Will you be driving or flying?

According to Dr. Yu, flying is the most significant risk for unvaccinated individuals. "If travel is on the agenda, driving is preferable, especially for younger children who may struggle with wearing masks on lengthy flights," she recommends.

Liza Maschi plans to fly to Aruba at the end of June with her two young kids. "My main concern is my 2-year-old not wearing a mask on the plane and that my 7-month-old might fall ill. To manage this, I’ll wear the baby facing me during the trip," she explains. "We’ve accepted that COVID isn’t disappearing soon. We’re making informed decisions, believing that since children seem largely unaffected, the rewards of travel and experiences for our family outweigh the risks."

Meg St-Esprit McKivigan and her four children all contracted COVID-19 last year, resulting in her hospitalization. Although she remains uneasy about flying, she acknowledges that if her kids hadn’t had COVID, they wouldn’t be traveling as frequently as they are now. They have six road trips lined up around Pennsylvania and Maryland, primarily focused on outdoor activities. "I understand they could contract it again; the risk isn’t zero," she notes. "My pediatrician has reassured me about the low rate of reinfection... and while my experience was severe, theirs were mild, so I feel less anxious about potential illness this time around."

What are the positivity rates in the area you plan to visit?

Dr. Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD, from Healthline Media's Medical Affairs team, advises checking the CDC's risk level for your destination and understanding local rules regarding testing and quarantine. "For families that are fully vaccinated, traveling domestically is generally considered safe," she adds.

"Until your family is fully vaccinated, international travel is not advised," warns Slowiczek. "If you do choose to travel internationally, be prepared to show proof of a negative test for everyone, including children, before boarding a flight back to the U.S. It’s also wise to get tested three to five days after your return to ensure you're not unknowingly carrying the virus back with you."

She emphasizes that parents should remain vigilant for any COVID-19 symptoms in themselves and their children.

Many parents are planning international trips, often to reunite with family after a long separation. Natasha Vorspel-Rueter, for instance, is flying from Atlanta to Munich and then driving to Austria with her husband and two daughters, ages 5 and 3. "Our kids are in virtual school from home, and we consistently wear masks, wash our hands frequently, and practice social distancing," she explains. She adds that her daughters are good at keeping their masks on, influencing her decision to travel with them.

However, even domestic travel carries varying risks from state to state—and city to city. Liz Bolton, living in Ketchikan, Alaska, is planning to visit family in Fairbanks with her two unvaccinated children at the end of June. But rising case rates in both locations are prompting her to rethink her plans.

"We would be taking three flights each way and staying in a hotel both ways, which presents many opportunities for the kids to come into contact with sick individuals," Bolton shares. "When we booked our tickets a month ago, we felt it was manageable, but with the spike in Alaskan rates and the state encouraging tourists to visit, it no longer feels worth the risk."

Will you dine indoors at a restaurant, visit a museum, or explore other indoor attractions?

When planning your trip activities, consider how many people you’ll come into contact with—especially unvaccinated individuals—and remember that you may not be aware of others' vaccination statuses. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently stated that vaccinated individuals can safely go mask-free indoors, indoor dining without masks remains one of the riskiest activities for those who are unvaccinated. Many parents still feel uneasy about this for their unvaccinated children.

"We generally avoid indoor dining due to the heightened risk of virus transmission, as it necessitates removing our masks," shares Ellen Krouss, who is planning a trip to Seattle and the San Juan Islands from Baltimore with her husband and 7-year-old daughter this August.

"We've become accustomed to engaging in outdoor activities, which we thoroughly enjoy, so it's a natural fit to continue this approach while traveling," Krouss explains. She also mentions that she isn’t reluctant to stay at a hotel and would feel comfortable visiting a low-traffic museum where mask-wearing is enforced.

Vorspel-Rueter agrees, stating she wouldn’t consider indoor dining with her kids and intends to spend most of their time in Austria hiking and enjoying the lakes.

After deciding to travel with your unvaccinated children, the next step is to choose your destination.

Where are families allowed to travel right now?

In addition to checking local infection rates and safety protocols at your destination, planning a trip—especially internationally—can be quite complex. You’ll need to find out if adults must provide proof of vaccination, what types of COVID-19 tests are needed before, upon, and after arrival, as well as before returning home, and whether the rules differ for adults and children.

Many countries have intricate regulations, and some do not adequately address children’s requirements.

For instance, Hawaii still mandates pre-travel testing for anyone aged 4 and older, while Rhode Island requires a negative test from unvaccinated domestic travelers arriving from designated hotspots with a positivity rate exceeding 5 percent. Conversely, Mexico does not require a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of vaccination, or quarantine for travelers coming from the U.S.

The Bahamas necessitates a negative test for all unvaccinated travelers; however, children aged 10 and under are exempt. Bermuda demands a negative test result three days prior to arrival, with another test administered at the airport for anyone over 10. Vaccinated travelers face fewer restrictions on the island, but all travelers are retested on days 4, 8, and 14 of their stay. Furthermore, starting June 6, any unvaccinated traveler over 17 must quarantine for 14 days.

The European Commission has recently proposed that all countries open this summer to vaccinated travelers from outside the EU. The proposal includes allowing unvaccinated children to travel with their parents if they provide a negative test result, which is currently the requirement in Greece, where children under 5 are exempt from testing.

Each country (and sometimes state or city) has its own requirements, so it's crucial to thoroughly review each destination's pandemic policies as you plan your family travel.

Bottom line

Despite everything, many parents believe that the rewards of traveling with their unvaccinated children outweigh the risks.

"I feel much more secure now that my husband and I are vaccinated," Krouss shares. "Travel has always been a significant part of our lives, and I see it as a path back to some normalcy after such a tough year. I believe it will greatly enhance our spirits and overall emotional and mental well-being, which, to me, is a compelling reason to take that risk."