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Hawai‘i Department of Health preps for keiki vaccine distribution

Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool, File

The state Department of Health is laying the groundwork for the eventual approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 through 11.

State Health Director Elizabeth Char says the DOH is working with public and private sector partners to make sure the rollout of the vaccine to children proceeds smoothly and is equitable.

Health officials say they intend to offer the vaccine at venues such as hospitals, pharmacies, schools, community health centers and pediatricians’ offices.

A Food and Drug Administration committee is set to meet Tuesday to consider authorization of the Pfizer vaccine, and a Centers for Disease Control committee will meet the following week to discuss its recommendations. Distribution of the vaccine could follow shortly.

Once the shot is approved, parents of children ages 5 through 11 must fill out a written or electronic consent form to have them vaccinated.

Upon authorization, a list of Hawaiʻi sites offering the shots will be posted at https://HawaiiCOVID19.com/vaccine.

Scott Kim was a news editor at Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
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