November: Orientation of COVID-19 Vaccination
Dear Trinity Families,
The intent of this note is to provide an orientation to the Covid-19 Vaccine for children ages 5 – 11. I’m sending it to all families on both campuses as it may be relevant for all to know. Clearly, the approval of the vaccine is very good news for the children at Trinity and we’re very happy we’ve reached this phase at our school. And from my communication with a number of families, there are access points for the vaccine.
Still, we know the rollout may take time, perhaps similar to the vaccine from last Spring, likely over many weeks for our families. While Trinity will require all eligible students to receive the vaccine (exemptions for religious beliefs and verified health vulnerabilities) for the health of our community, it is too early to set a specific date. Our best estimate would be the requirement to be fulfilled by the end of January 2022 – but that is only a very rough estimate. It depends on the rollout of the vaccine.
Below is information excerpted from a communication sent to independent schools from the San Mateo Office of Education (SMCOE). Here are the basics:
Pfizer Vaccine Recommended for 5-11 Year Olds
On October 26th, a panel of expert advisors recommended that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provide emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine in children ages 5 to 11, based on Pfizer’s data showing that the vaccine is safe and 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections among youth.
Vaccination Options
In anticipation of approval of the vaccine, SMCOE is partnering with San Mateo County Health and local school districts to hold vaccination clinics across the county next month for students ages 5 to 11. These clinics are just one of many options for vaccinating your children. Other options include healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other county and community clinics. SMCH will be posting these options on its website, and SMCOE will continue to share information on vaccination options over the coming weeks.
Helpful Resources
We know that parents at Trinity are eager to protect their children from COVID-19 – you’ve clearly demonstrated that. We also know that some families still have questions about the vaccines’ efficacy and safety. We’ve found that Johns Hopkins Medicine has shared important tips for parents, and SMCOE has created flyers in English and Spanish that share some of the reasons for youth to get vaccinated.
I will continue to relay information as it comes our way at Trinity. I also realize many families are already tracking the path of the vaccine and setting up appointments for their child(ren).
Thank you, all.
Matt Allio
