Do children need to be vaccinated to travel to America??

[Motherdare]

Does anyone know whether children (age 12 and 9) need to be Covid vaccinated to fly into the US? Mine aren’t. We are considering a trip to Florida but won’t go if vaccination is required. Anyone know? Thanks.

From the Center for Disease Control website:
Children under 18 are exempted from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travelers, given both the ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated.
Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test.
If a child is not fully vaccinated and traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, they can show proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken within one day before departure (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults).
If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to show proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken within one day of departure.
While children under 2 years of age are excepted from the testing requirement, CDC recommends a pre-departure test for these children whenever possible.

We were there last month. to get into the US under 18s don’t have to be vaccinated, BUT it depends on what state you go to

In NYC atm everyone 5 and over has to show proof of vaccination or you’re not allowed into restaurants, museums etc

The governor in Florida is insane and a covid denier, so I’d wager you probably don’t need the kids vaccinated to go there

They will need a covid test to get in, and currently anyone over 2 has to wear a mask on a plane

As others have said, under 18s are exempt and Florida doesn’t have any additional restrictions. Enjoy!

NYC recently dropped the requirement for entry into restaurants and museums etc. due to low case numbers.

No but as above, some venues won't allow unvaccinated children in. Travelling that long in an enclosed space with masks on should also be interesting. We are going to San Fransisco in April so have been researching all of this.

No been to Florida twice with exactly the same aged children (although the 12 year old turned 13 last week) and nothing needed

Fab! Thanks all for the consensus and sound advice!

The restrictions are being reviewed again this week - right now you have to take a supervised covid test the day before you fly. I think it’s the 18th they’re reviewed

We're going to Florida in October, kids exactly same age as yours. Neither child is vaccinated and Florida is one of the least restrictive states with Covid passports etc

By October we could be in a much better or much worse position, it's impossible to say. Whatever you decide just make sure you have decent travel insurance!

@LoopyDream

The restrictions are being reviewed again this week - right now you have to take a supervised covid test the day before you fly. I think it’s the 18th they’re reviewed

They extended it last week to the 18th April

www.cnbc.com/2022/03/10/us-extends-airplane-mask-mandate-through-april-18.html

Which indicates at the moment that the testing and mask requirement will be eased for the Spring/Summer.

There is no movement though on adults being vaccinated - I can see that for awhile actually. But it isnt for children anyway. Whether the 3-5 day test when there (that no one has checked or asked about either time I was there) will stay I dont know.

The Parks have had mask requirement - Disney always stricter and tends to bring in early and release later than Universal. Both dropped it in February