Dear HUUSD families of PreK4- 6th grade students:
Last night, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 - 11; this came on the heels of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorizing use of this vaccine with this age group.
Registration for the vaccine is on the Health Department website. HUUSD is working with state officials to set up in-district vaccination clinics. We will share information on these as soon as details are finalized. Meanwhile, parents/guardians can register their children for an open clinic through the state website. Walk-in appointments may be available at some pharmacies, but registration is strongly encouraged. You may also schedule a vaccination through your child’s health care provider. Vaccines are anticipated to be available in pediatrian’s offices in mid-November.
VT Digger reported yesterday, “The vaccine for 5-to-11-year-olds comes at a time when that age group is one of the most affected groups in the Delta surge. Children in that age range have a much higher Covid case rate than adults, and a higher rate than children under 4 or over 11 years old, according to data from the Department of Financial Regulation.“
In addition to providing greater protection from the more severe impact of a potential COVID-19 infection, being vaccinated reduces the need for quarantine if a child is identified as a close contact of an individual contagious with COVID-19. Close contacts who are vaccinated and have no symptoms do not need to quarantine. We have already seen a significant reduction in students missing school amongst 12 - 18 year olds who are vaccinated.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VACCINE FOR 5- 11 YEAR OLDS?
Information about the vaccine for 5- 11 year olds can be found on the VT Department of Health website here.
The Vermont pediatrics academy is hosting virtual family forums about COVID-19 vaccines for children with local pediatricians .These conversations will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom on the following dates:
Monday, Nov. 8, with Leah Costello, M.D. (South Burlington) -— Click here for Zoom link
Wednesday, Nov. 10, with Elizabeth Richards, M.D. (Brattleboro) — Click here for Zoom link
Tuesday, Nov. 16, with Josh Kantrowitz, M.D. (St. Johnsbury) — Click here for Zoom link
Thursday, Nov. 18, with Ashley Miller, M.D. (South Royalton) — Click here for Zoom link
Monday, Nov. 22, with Colleen Moran, M.D. (Lamoille County) — Click here for Zoom link
Tuesday, Dec. 2, with Tracy Tyson, M.D. (St. Albans) — Click here for Zoom link
Sincerely,
The HUUSD Team
