LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Scientists say vaccinating kids should not only slow the spread of the coronavirus but also help prevent potentially-dangerous variants from emerging. Each new infection brings another opportunity for the virus to mutate and evolve dangerous new traits. Protecting a new, large chunk of the population, in the U.S. or around the world, limits those opportunities. The recent move to offer COVID-19 vaccines to 28 million U.S. children age 5 to 11 also means reducing silent spread. When the virus spreads unseen and unabated, some experts say, more people contract it and variants may arise.
How COVID shots for kids help prevent dangerous new variants
