As more residents of Hawai‘i get the coronavirus vaccine, the focus is shifting to our keiki.
State lawmakers and the state Department of Health conducted an informational briefing on Friday to discuss the possibilities of vaccinating younger populations.
Acting State Epidemiologist Sarah Kemble explained how Pfizer and Moderna are conducting studies on coronavirus vaccine safety and immune response for children under age 12.
None of the coronavirus vaccines now in use are authorized for children. The biggest advances are coming from studies on vaccinating children from age 5 to 12, the health department said.
Even if the Food and Drug Administration made the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines available for children under age 12, coronavirus inoculation would not be required to attend a Hawaiʻi public school, the department said.
Right now, the state Department of Education requires nine vaccines for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade — ranging from polio to hepatitis.
For the vaccine to be included in the DoE list, it would need further analysis and public hearings.
Watch the full informational briefing below.
