Dear Team,
We have reached an important new milestone in protecting our health from COVID-19. Life-saving vaccines are now authorized and recommended for children ages 6 months and up – the last group to become eligible for the protection so many of us have enjoyed.
This news comes as a great relief to many parents of the youngest children, who can finally breathe easier and get back to pre-pandemic activities, travel and family gatherings they have not felt safe doing while their children remained vulnerable to the virus.
Getting the youngest children vaccinated will protect us all. It will also help keep daycare centers and schools open in the fall, bringing stability and assurance to the working parents on our team.
Your family’s safety is important to our company. That’s why I am committed to helping you get the facts about vaccines for your children, and making it as easy as possible to get yourselves and your eligible children vaccinated. Simply let your manager know what you need, and we will do our best to accommodate you. [Add here COMPANY-specific information about paid time off or other incentives for vaccination and recovery from possible side effects.]
Some of you may have questions about why young children need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The truth is, more than 13 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic. Children ages 6 months to 4 years old have the highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalization among youth because they have not been eligible for the protection of vaccines.
So, just as pediatricians recommend seatbelts and car seats, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months and older. Based on extensive data collected from clinical trials among children, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined that the vaccines are safe and extremely effective for these children, and side effects are rare.
I encourage you to ask your child’s pediatrician about the vaccines and to follow their guidance closely – depending on which of the two COVID-19 vaccines your children receive, they will require either two or three doses for full protection. We will ensure you get the time and support you need.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. As always, please continue to prioritize the health and safety of yourselves, your families, and each other.
Yours sincerely,
NAME
President/CEO, Chief Medical Officer, or other trusted leader
