Should Your Child Take Swim Lessons Before Being Vaccinated?

Parents have begun asking pediatricians if their children — who are too young to receive the COVID-19 vaccine — can take swim lessons this summer.

I recently addressed that question in an article I wrote for Healthy Children, which is an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) webpage for parents.

The answer is yes, swimming is a great family activity! It’s good exercise and a life-saving skill. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends water safety and swim lessons for all children as a layer of protection against drowning.

While a COVID-19 vaccine for younger children is not yet available, taking extra precautions can help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure during swim lessons.

CHOOSING A SWIM PROGRAM DURING COVID-19
When considering swim lessons for your children, look for programs that follow the same public health guidelines used to protect against COVID-19 during other children’s activities, such as school and sports. This includes keeping kids home if they are not feeling well, have had a fever within the last couple days, or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 within the past two weeks. Also check that staff and visitors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

MORE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

1. Are lessons held indoors or​ outdoors?
   If possible, choose outdoor swim lessons. COVID-19 can spread easily in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

2. How many students are in each class?
   Check that the class size is small and the pool allows for participants to sta​​y at least 3 feet apart. Also ask if there are separate entrances and exits to the locker room and pool area. This can also help reduce close physical contact.

3. Have instructors and staff received COVID-19 vaccinations?
   Ask if instructors and staff are vaccinated. And even if they are vaccinated, they should still wear a mask outside of the pool. That goes for any child older than 2 who is not in the water, and also you and the entire swim school staff. Just be s​​ure to replace your child’s mask if it is wet.

4. Are guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting followed?
   Ask if the swim pro​​​gram follows all CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting all equipment and surfaces. Also check that hand sanitizer is available for kids and adults to use.

OTHER TIPS TO HELP PREVENT COVID-19 TRANSMISSION
Skip the locker room. If possible, avoid using the locker rooms and other shared spaces. Have your child put their swimsuit on at home so they can head right to the class.

Bring your own towels, drinking water and other items that may be needed.

Get COVID-19 vaccines as soon as you can. Vaccination is the best way to control the pandemic and will make important children’s activities like swim lessons safer for everyone. Adults and children 12 years and older​ can be vaccinated now, and younger children will be able to get them soon.

A LAYER OF SAFETY
Enrolling your children in swim lessons is definitely a good idea, even if they haven’t had their COVID-19 vaccine yet. But keep in mind that swimming skills are only one layer to help keep kids safe in and around water. It’s important to remember that swim lessons do not make your child drown-proof.

Even though your child is in a swim lesson, be a water watcher—watch your child and watch for any child who may be in distress. Take CPR and First Aid classes which will teach you what to do for a drowning victim.

​REMEMBER
Everyone, including adults, should learn to swim. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that water safety and swim lessons can begin for many children starting at age 1.

Deciding when to start should be based on a variety of individual factors, including how often your child may be around water, your child’s emotional maturity, physical and developmental abilities and limitations, interest in learning to swim, and how comfortable he or she is in the water.

Check with your pediatrician to help you make the decision when​ to start swim lessons, and other ways to help protect your child against COVID-19.

MORE INFORMATION
Swim Lessons: When to Start & What Parents Should Know
Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention—When it’s Not Swimming Time
Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know
Youth Sports During COVID-19: A Safety Checklist​

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Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH, FAAP

Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH,FAAP, serves on the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. A recipient of the Council’s Fellow Achievement Award in recognition of her commitment to youth violence prevention and pedestrian safety, including her work with the National Safe Routes to School Task Force, Dr. Agran has testified at local, state and national hearings to promote child health and safety policies. She is past president of AAP California Chapter 4 and a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UCI's School of Medicine.

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