Napa County vaccine service providers are beginning the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for the 11,000 children ages 5-11 in Napa County who are newly eligible, following final approvals and recommendations from state and federal regulators. On November 3, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, with endorsement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued a recommendation to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11. Parents and caregivers can check with their children’s pediatrician or family medicine provider to see if they will be administering COVID vaccines. Local pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and community organizations in Napa County will also administer pediatric COVID-19 vaccines to the 5-11 age group. Public Health continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters at free, public clinics in convenient locations throughout the County. The County will begin offering vaccines for children ages 5-11 at separate clinics specifically for that age group beginning the week of November 18. For the latest information on vaccine eligibility, availability, and clinic schedule please visit our website: COVID-19 Vaccination | Napa County, CA (countyofnapa.org) and click on our vaccine calendar to find an upcoming clinic.
“Vaccinating as much of our community as possible – including our children – is one of the most important ways to put this pandemic behind us,” said Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County Public Health Officer and Deputy Director of the Health and Human Services Agency. “As the holiday season approaches, expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines means we can safely celebrate with extended family and friends – something that wasn’t a safe option last year.”
“Parents and students can find comfort in knowing that the vaccine approved has gone through a thorough review process,” said Colleen Townsend, M.D., a Family Medicine specialist in Napa and the president of the Napa Solano Medical Society. “It is safe and effective and offers parents peace of mind that their children and households are better protected as this pandemic continues. Your local physician community strongly recommends getting a COVID vaccination as quickly as possible.”
There are a number of resources for parents to learn more about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, including:
• COVID-19 Vaccination for Children 5-11 Years Old | CDC
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Critical Updates on COVID-19
The Napa County Office of Education plans to host English and Spanish-language forums for parents to ask questions about pediatric COVID-19 vaccines from Napa County Public Health and local pediatricians during the week of November 15. Please check www.napacoe.org for additional information as the forums are scheduled.
While Public Health anticipates that the ability to vaccinate all school-aged children will provide the best protection, the continued efforts of school communities show that masking and other preventive measures, like testing, are also powerful tools for supporting safety at schools.
If you need help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound, or have any questions about vaccination access you can contact the Napa County Public Information line at 707-253-4540 or email [email protected].