- Experts have previously estimated that the United States needs a vaccination rate of at least 75 percent to reach “herd immunity” level.
- Now with the more infectious Delta variant, a higher ratio may be needed as more “breakthrough” cases are reported.
- But with more than 22 percent of the population under age 18, it’s crucial that kids get vaccinated to reach those numbers, because not all adults want to or can get vaccinated.
- For individual health, public safety, and continuity of education, vaccinations must remain top priority before schools start, say experts.
If schools return to in-person education as planned this fall, how likely are we to see COVID-19 outbreaks or school closures?
For educators, closures are not an option. They are adamant that kids do not lose a third year of school to the pandemic and get the social stimulation they need.
An analysis by McKinsey, a management consulting firm, estimated that the pandemic left students about 5 months behind in mathematics and 4 months behind in reading.
Source: healthline