The reality of children being vaccinated for COVID reached a major milestone this week after an FDA Advisory panel recommend the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter anticipates that age group could begin receiving doses within the next two weeks.
“The first allotment for us is going to be about 148,000 doses that we’ll then distribute to our vaccine provider network in a similar fashion that we did the first time around,” said Kanter.
On Tuesday the governor removed the statewide indoor mask mandate for 28 days but not for K-12 schools. Schools however can choose not to mask if they follow CDC quarantine guidelines. Kanter said the sooner children are able to get vaccinated the more likely they can stay in the classroom.
“That’s another way to reduce school disruptions because once a child is fully vaccinated then they no longer have to quarantine if they were exposed as long as they are asymptomatic,” said Kanter.
Currently, ages 5 to 17 make up the majority of new COVID cases in the state at 22-percent.
Kanter encouraged parents to discuss the vaccine with their pediatrician and if they have an upcoming visit scheduled.
“I think that’s a great opportunity to talk about the vaccine, talk about the pros and cons and I think in a few weeks’ time there’s a good chance that that pediatricians will have the vaccine in stock to give it if the family chooses,” said Kanter.
A CDC committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday and Wednesday and if they vote to recommend the vaccine for ages 5 to 11, the vaccine could be available the following week. Approximately 421,000 in Louisiana would then be eligible to be vaccinated.
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