Disney Cruise Line became the first major passenger ship to require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for passengers as young as five, sparking fury among families who say they’ve canceled trips over the mandate.
Entertainment giant Regal quietly revised its vaccination requirements on Wednesday. It stated that all guests over five years old must have their vaccines up to date by January 13th.
‘As we set sail again, the health and safety of our Guests, Cast Members and Crew Members is a top priority,’ Disney said on its website. ‘Our focus remains on operating our ships in a responsible way that continues to create magic for all on board.’
The new rules are not for everyone.
Fans began spamming Disney Cruise’s Facebook posts with comments of displeasure, with one mom sniping: ‘my son doesn’t need to be vaccinated and risk myocarditis or worse just for a cruise.’
Added another parent: ‘Canceled our cruise for 10. Not vaccinating the kids.’
Disney Cruise Line was the first passenger ship that required proof of COVID-19 vaccination for children as young as 5
Although the FDA authorized emergency use of Pfizer vaccines for children 5 years and over on October 29, some parents have decided not to inoculate their children.
Since months vaccine requirements for children are a topic of contention, the FDA has authorized an emergency use for the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to children between five and 11.
A few days later, FDA stated that they would defer their decision about whether Moderna vaccinations for children 12-17 years old should be given. The FDA wanted to know if the vaccine increases the chance of rare side effects which can have an adverse effect on the heart health and well-being of the child.
Although the company has applied for approval, it is not yet ready to approve this drug in the youngest age bracket.
Numerous countries, including Japan and Nordic, expressed concerns about the Moderna vaccine increasing the chance of myocarditis, which is an inflammation of heart muscle. It occurs only rarely following vaccination, but it can happen in men aged 18-30.
Disney enthusiasts claim the company has tarnished its reputation for being a family-friendly place.
‘Requiring children to take the potentially deadly experimental biologics jab to sail is awful,’ one person commented on Facebook.
‘We will never give you a dime. You aren’t worth the lives of my children.’
Many Twitter users expressed disapproval for Disney’s mandate regarding vaccines. One called it unneeded, while another predicted that the company would lose its profits.
DailyMail.com did not reach out to Disney for comment.
The company faces its critics but parents love it.
‘They do not make the decision who gets vaccinated,’ said one Facebook user. ‘They do decide what steps they wish to take in order to keep passengers safe. If that means continuing to wait [anti-vax] losers like you, great!’
Added Twitter user @StaceyHopeSmall: This should be standard protocol for hotels, cruises and planes at this point.’
According to Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients, at least 2.6 Million children between 5 and 11 years old have had their first COVID-19 vaccination.
The vaccine was administered to 10 percent of the people who fall within this age bracket two weeks following FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine.
Those who don’t plan to have their children inoculated said a Disney cruise vacation is not going to change their mind.
‘If you think I’m going to vaccinate my five-year-old grandchild so we can go on your cruise you’re wrong,’ a Facebook user told the company.
Disney indicated that the company would begin enforcing this mandate as soon as January. Before boarding, children younger than 4 years old will need to be tested.
‘Disney does not make the decisions for my family will go to another cruise line.’
Others cruise companies have not yet required the jab to be administered for children.
Carnival Cruise Ships will offer a small number of exemptions for children or passengers who are medically impaired until next April. However, it generally requires that those over 12 years old show proof of immunization.
Royal Caribbean demands that all passengers aged 12 or older have their jab.
According to Lebawit Lily Girma, a travel journalist, mandates will be adopted by other passenger ship companies for those of younger age going forward.
‘Disney Cruise Line’s new vaccination mandate for kids is likely to boost consumer confidence from the family segment, which has been largely reluctant to return to cruising post-pandemic,’ she said.
‘It’s likely other cruise lines will follow as cruises plan to resume operations and sailing at larger capacities in 2022.’
Disney will ask children below five years of age to submit a negative COVID-19 screening before they board.
The government allows religious and medical exemptions to its vaccine policy.
One Twitter user said the mandate is unlikely to end well for Disney.
She tweeted, ‘I cannot imagine that this will work out well for Disney Cruise Line.’ “Forced vaccinations, and decreased profits lead to increased ticket prices for those who have been vaccinated.”