Youngsters 12 and underneath may quickly be eligible for COVID-19 photographs in San Francisco
By Sydney Johnson
Examiner employee author
Parents eagerly awaiting their children’s vaccinations could soon breathe a sigh of relief.
San Francisco announced on Friday that it is pressing ahead with immunization for children ages 5-11 as the Food and Drug Administration continues to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of 12.
“We anticipate that we can deliver 25,000 doses of vaccine per week at these locations to collectively meet demand from eligible children, adults who want a primary vaccination, and booster vaccinations of the third dose for those who qualify,” said Officials from the San Francisco Department of Public Health said in a public statement. “We need to underline that our top priority will be to ensure that all members of our community have access to the first and second dose, including children ages 5-11 if they are eligible.”
The announcement coincides with the release of a nationwide COVID-19 Vaccine Action Plan that explains how California is preparing to give booster vaccinations to immunocompromised and other eligible populations, as well as children under the age of 12.
Although schools in San Francisco have so far avoided a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for students, citing the county’s high vaccination rate among eligible students, other Bay Area counties such as Oakland Unified as well as the state’s largest school district, Los Angeles Unified, have chosen to require admission for eligible students.
State health authorities are similarly investigating that children 12 and over must be vaccinated to attend school.
“This conversation is part of what we are considering as a state, but no definitive action is being taken at the moment,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Minister for Health and Human Services, during a press conference on the state vaccination plan. “It was a long talk about vaccines in schools and their role in protecting students. … We watch the Los Angeles experience, understand what it means for students, families and staff, and watch other districts view the same thing. “
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved an additional two-dose dose of the Pfizer vaccine for people 65 years of age and older, as well as those ages 12 to 64 who are due to certain medical conditions or the nature of the disease higher risk of serious illness have their work.
But the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still at odds over who should get a booster vaccination. On Thursday, a CDC panel approved additional doses only for people over the age of 65 and people between the ages of 50 and 64 with pre-existing conditions.
Once fully approved by the CDC and FDA, individuals eligible for a booster vaccination are recommended to receive it at least six months after receiving their second dose of the vaccine.
As federal health officials continue to debate, The City prepares for another vaccine push, including younger San Franciscans. There are plans to use around 100 vaccination sites across San Francisco, including doctor’s offices, neighborhood clinics, pharmacies, and school locations that already offer COVID-19 vaccines. The sites have the capacity to deliver 200 to 300 doses per day, according to local health authorities.
Approximately 81% of the eligible population in San Francisco were fully vaccinated as of September 24th.
“Once the appropriate state and federal approvals are in place and individuals are eligible, we encourage people to schedule booster and vaccination appointments at their health facilities,” Health Department officials said.
sjohnson@sfexaminer.com
