NEWS Coronavirus News Pediatrician Group Recommends Mask Use in School Regardless of Vaccination Status By Claire Bugos Claire Bugos Twitter Claire Bugos is a New York City-based health and science reporter and writer. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 20, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Share Tweet Email Print Jon Cherry / Getty Images Update The CDC on July 27 echoed the AAP's recommendation of universal masking and asked all students, teachers, and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status. Key Takeaways The American Academy of Pediatrics released new COVID-19 guidance to encourage universal mask use in schools.AAP recommends all students above the age of two wear a mask regardless of vaccination status, and encourages vaccination for all over 12 years old.The guidance is more cautious that the recommendations for children published by the CDC earlier this month. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Monday released new COVID-19 guidance for schools, recommending all students over the age of 2 wear masks regardless of their vaccination status. To ensure safety for students and staff, the organization recommends taking a “layered approach,” which includes vaccination for students aged 12 and above, universal mask use, ventilation, testing, and more. “We need to prioritize getting children back into schools alongside their friends and their teachers – and we all play a role in making sure it happens safely,” Sonja O’Leary, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Council on School Health, said in a statement. The AAP says schools should take the additional step of requiring mask use because a large portion of school-aged children are not yet eligible for vaccination and remain more vulnerable to infection. Unless schools find a way to monitor vaccination status, universal masking is the most trusted to way to keep the community safe, the group suggests. What This Means For You For adolescents age 12 and above, vaccination remains the best tool to protect them against illness and transmission of COVID-19. Masks are also proven to be effective at limiting transmission. Look to your state’s and county’s public health departments for information on whether schools in your area will mandate mask use. Taking a Layered Approach The AAP guidance is a departure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which said this month that vaccinated students need not wear masks in classrooms or outside. The CDC still recommended unvaccinated students to wear masks indoors. Both groups encourage schools to create a holistic plan for preventing viral spread, which includes improved ventilation, cleaning, and disinfection. “As with any battle, a multiple defense approach is the way to go,” David Edwards, PhD, professor of biomedical engineering at Harvard University and founder of FEND, tells Verywell. “Vaccination is an obvious and a key part of the protection that we need to lean into.” With the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, Edwards says policies that encourage mask wearing and prioritize vaccinations will be important in protecting children. Only 36% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, The Washington Post data shows. Children under 12 years old are not yet eligible for the vaccines, though an FDA emergency authorization for vaccinations in this group could come this winter, NBC reported. In the meantime, AAP says that encouraging mask use in school will add a layer of protection for unvaccinated students. Plus, face coverings may reduce the spread of other respiratory illnesses when children congregate in-person again. Research shows that when masking and other safety measures are practiced, in-person schooling does not significantly increase community transmission, according to the AAP. The AAP also advocates for strong mental health support for students who may struggle with the transition to in-person learning after a year of intense change and remote schooling. “Families rely on schools to provide a safe, stimulating, and enriching space for children to learn; appropriate supervision of children; opportunities for socialization; and access to school-based mental, physical, and nutritional health services,” the APP guidance says. The organization also calls for adequate and accessible COVID-19 testing resources and urges parents to ensure their children are caught up on their vaccinations to avoid outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools.