Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

COVID-19 booster dose is available and recommended for 5-11 year-olds

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/20/2022 04:40 PM PDT

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To: Superintendents and Principals, Charter School Leaders, Private School Leaders, School Nurses, K-12 Public Information Officers, Reopening Advisors and Education Partners
From: Colt Gill, Director, Oregon Department of Education
Date: May 20, 2022
RE: COVID-19 booster dose is available and recommended for 5-11 year-olds

Dear Colleagues,

Today, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that a COVID-19 booster dose is available and recommended for 5-11 year-olds. We know that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. This announcement is yet another step in protecting the health of our students, staff and families while keeping every student learning in-person, every school day.

Following updated guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the successful review by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, OHA stated that:

Children ages 5 through 11 who are not immunocompromised should get a booster dose at least five months after receiving the second dose in their primary vaccine series.
Children ages 5 through 11 who are immunocompromised (and who have received a third primary series dose) should get a booster dose at least three months after receiving the third dose in their primary vaccine series.

Key Points About Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Booster for ages 5-11

Getting a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine booster can further protect your students from COVID-19 infection and serious illness.
Families trust information they receive from their school. Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation in August found parents whose children attended a school that provided information on the vaccine or encouraged its uptake were more likely to say their child had been vaccinated.
The vaccine is free and safe. No health insurance is required, and it is available regardless of immigration status. Research has shown vaccines to be safe for children in this age group.

What You Can Do

In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority I want to share several valuable resources for you to use if you’re interested in hosting a vaccine clinic for your school community:

Spread the word by posting social media cards and share the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.
Host a vaccine clinic. Reach out to your Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) to begin the planning phase. In most cases your LPHA or your School Based Health Center can provide advice, vaccination services on site or match you with a partner who can assist.
The CDC offers resources on How Schools Can Support COVID-19 Vaccination which can assist in answering general questions, promoting vaccine confidence, and making COVID-19 a teachable moment.

Although many children often experience milder symptoms if they contract COVID-19, this past winter showed record numbers of children hospitalized during the Omicron surge. Widespread vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19 infection and serious illness. Thank you for your continued dedication and tireless efforts to keep our schools healthy, safe and open.

If you have any questions about this update, please contact the ODE COVID-19 inbox at ODECOVID19@ode.oregon.gov . Thank you!

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