|
"The long-anticipated approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 is a critical step in our efforts to make our schools the safest and healthiest environments possible for students, staff and the families in our educational communities. We anticipate that children will begin to be vaccinated across the region in the coming days.
Alameda County Office of Education has been working in close collaboration with the Alameda County Public Health Department for weeks in planning for this approval and quickly ensuring that families have ample opportunities to get their children vaccinated through three primary avenues:
1. Primary Care Providers: Pediatricians and health care providers
2. Community Clinics: City-based and community-based clinics
3. County/State Clinics: County and state-run clinics at school sites supported by ACPHD and California Department of Public Health. Districts of the highest need (high case rates/lower vaccine rates) have been targeted for immediate support. School districts may also be partnering with community-based organizations and retail pharmacies to bring vaccines to school sites.
Children in this age group will be receiving a juvenile dosage of the Pfizer vaccine, and it will be packaged and labeled in a way that will distinguish it from adult doses.
We know this is an important decision for many families and we recommend talking with your pediatrician and/or health care provider, who can address questions and concerns. In addition, ACOE will be supporting with information and resources at acoe.org/vaccines, including several Parent Information Sessions with Bay Area pediatricians. More information about those sessions will be released shortly.
We have arrived at a moment that so many have been waiting for—with the holiday season upon us, remaining vigilant is more important than ever. We must do all we can to take good care of ourselves, our families and our community as we move a big step closer to the end of this pandemic."
Information on the COVID vaccine for children 5-11 from the Alameda County Public Health Department.
|
