“If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely. Limit crowds. I wouldn’t necessarily go to a crowded Halloween party, but I think that we should be able to let our kids go trick-or-treating in small groups,” Walensky said.
Those who are eligible to get vaccinated or get a booster shot should do just that, she urged. Pfizer’s vaccine is now available for ages 12 and up, and the company has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize it for ages 5 to 11. If regulators agree, shots could begin for younger kids in a few weeks, CBS News reported.
Last year, with cases rising and no vaccines available yet, the CDC issued much stricter guidance for the holidays, saying trick or treating was a high-risk activity and encouraging families not to gather in large groups for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays.
However, three different vaccines are now widely available in the United States and over 187 million Americans are fully vaccinated. The CDC said it will release new guidance on holiday gatherings soon.
More information
Visit the U.S. National Safety Council for more on safe trick or treating.
