COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids: Here's What's Next In Lake Elsinore

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — With news Tuesday that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has given a green light to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in kids 5-11, what does that mean in Riverside County?

Here is what is known:

The vaccine is not mandated in Riverside County, correct? True. While the COVID-19 Pfizer BioNTech vaccine — now marketed as Comirnaty — has received emergency use authorization in kids ages 5-11, it is not a requirement in Riverside County.

The vaccine is not mandated in schools yet, and won't be for some time, right? That is correct. For parents concerned about COVID vaccine requirements in public schools, local districts are required to follow state and federal mandates. Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom said mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for in-person learning will come only after a vaccine has full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

The state mandate will occur at "the start of the term" following FDA full approval for certain ages and grade spans — grades 7-12, or 12 and older; and grades K-6, or ages 5-11. "The start of the term" is defined by the state as either January 1 or July 1, whichever comes first. At the very soonest, the requirement for grades 7-12 would begin July 1, 2022, according to the state. But in order for that to happen, a vaccine must first receive full FDA approval. To date, the Pfizer vaccine has full FDA approval for people ages 16 and older — not younger age groups.

At the time of this publication, parents will have the option of opting out of the vaccine mandate based on religious or ideological reasons. However, all other school vaccines are required under state law, regardless of personal beliefs, so time will tell whether the exemption holds for the COVID-19 vaccine.

When can I get the vaccine for my kids who are in the 5-11 age bracket? The state is expected to give its recommendation shortly, then Riverside County is anticipated to do the same — all of this will likely happen within days. Once the state and county give the go-ahead, parents can check with their pediatrician's office or visit the county's website here to find vaccination locations.

What is the vaccine dosage for kids? According to the FDA, Pfizer's vaccine for kids 5-11 is a two-dose primary series, three weeks apart, but is a lower dose (10 micrograms) than that used for people 12 years of age and older (30 micrograms).

According to immunologists and infectious disease experts, the right dosage is best determined by a child’s age — not his or her size — and is based on the immune system, which changes through the growth process.

How safe is the vaccine for kids? According to the FDA, the vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children ages 5 through 11 who received the vaccine and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study.

On Tuesday, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said, "We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated."

What are the COVID-19 rates in Riverside County kids? Currently, the county does break down COVID-19 cases and deaths by age, with the youngest age bracket being 0-17 years. According to county data, within that youngest age group, there have been 55,497 cases reported countywide since the pandemic began, and four of those patients died due to complications from the virus.

A snapshot of COVID-19 hospitalization data was available from the county regarding the 12-17 age bracket: In July through August, 90.1 percent of Riverside County's COVID-19 patients in that age group who were hospitalized with the virus were unvaccinated, according to the county.

Nationwide, approximately 8,300 COVID-19 cases in kids 5 through 11 years of age resulted in hospitalization, according to the CDC. As of Oct. 17, COVID-19 deaths in children under 18 years of age stood at 691 nationwide, with 146 of those deaths in kids 5-11, according to the federal agency.