Grandmother says: Vaccinate, or no grandson

Dear Amy: I am the maternal grandmother of a 5-yearold boy, “Danny,” who, because of divorce, spends time at his paternal grandma’s house in a conservative area of our state.

She and I have a good relationship.

She is a wonderful grandmother, not only because she is empathetic, but also because her career is in education.

I discovered she has not received the COVID-19 vaccine, nor does she have any plans to get it. When I asked why, she shrugged and said she didn’t need it.

The rest of the family have all been vaccinated, so we can feel safe going.

Once my daughter finds out, she will insist her son not go there until grandma and her husband get the vaccine.

What advice can you give? Do we have the right to give her an ultimatum: Vaccinate, or no grandson? – Worried Grandma

Dear Worried: Your ultimatum reflects a strange logic.

The way I read your narrative, “Danny” has been moving between households since before his parents and you were vaccinated. If that is true, then the risk of the child contracting or carrying the virus between households is much lower now than it was.

Yes, you could tell the child’s mother that you are upset. She should ask “Danny’s” pediatrician for a risk-assessment regarding the child spending time in an unvaccinated household.

If the child’s doctor suggests that these visits place Danny’s health at risk, your daughter should share the physician’s written assessment with her ex and suggest that visits should be postponed.

Parents must do everything possible to offer the healthiest choices for their children.