Health & Safety Protocols

District 34’s goal is to keep all students, in person, every day in the safest environment possible. To reach that goal, the District will continue to follow guidance from the leading public health agencies (as we have done throughout the pandemic).

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted CDC's new guidelines for isolation and quarantine for schools. Therefore, if your child is currently in isolation or quarantine and has a new return-to-school date, you will see that new date in PowerSchool soon, and will receive an email with that information.

Ex: If your child was asymptomatic and tested positive on Tuesday, January 4 or before, they should return to school on MONDAY, January 10. (Those who tested Wednesday, January 5 can return Tuesday, January 11, etc.)

Recent Changes

There are two major changes to the IDPH/ISBE guidance for schools, released on January 11, 2022:

Those who test positive must isolate and remain home from school for five days; they can return to school on Day 6. The date of symptom onset or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test, is Day 0.
Close Contacts (who are not eligible for test to stay – unvaccinated individuals who have not opted in to SHIELD testing or exposure outside of the home) also may return on Day 6 after exposure to a positive individual
Test-to-Stay entails two tests, with one occurring between Days 5-7 (District 34 will test on Day 3 and Day 6).

Individuals may return to school after five days if asymptomatic or if fever-free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours, diarrhea/vomiting have ceased for 24 hours, and other symptoms have improved.

Upon return, both positive cases and close contacts must wear a mask at all times including outdoors, maintain 6’ at lunch and during snack (whenever they are not wearing a mask), and closely monitor for symptoms for an additional 5 days.

New Test to Stay Procedures

Test-to-Stay & SHIELD Testing

Test-to-Stay & SHIELD Testing

Test to Stay: Close Contact

Students who are unvaccinated, and are opted in to SHIELD testing, and are close contacts in the school setting do not have to quarantine, and can test to stay. School staff will administer BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests on Day 3 and Day 6 after exposure. If either of those dates fall on a weekend or holiday, they will be tested on the next school day.

Beginning January 10, District 34 is adding PCR tests to our test-to-stay protocol for close contacts as well as those with mild symptoms.

Mild (Non-COVID) Symptoms

If a student or staff member has symptoms that are NOT found on the COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance for Schools Decision Tree, they will have the option to take a BinaxNOW test at school. If the test is negative, they will return to class/work. Health office staff also will offer a Ravinia PCR test with instructions on how to administer the test and return it to the drop box at school.

The process for test-to-stay for all unvaccinated close contacts who have opted into SHIELD testing when exposure is in the school setting, as well as for those with mild symptoms (allergy symptoms, mild cold symptoms) is as follows:

Test with a BinaxNOW rapid test at school as soon as we identify them as close contact or they have symptoms. If they are negative, they can stay in school.
The student will receive four Ravina Health PCR tests to take home with instructions that parents must complete the online waiver (you only need to complete it one time). Your child will receive an information sheet that outlines your testing schedule:

Test 1 taken the same evening as identified and dropped off at the drop box or collection bin at school* the next day
Test 2 - 48 hours after test 1 and dropped off at school the next day
Test 3 - 48 hours after test 2 and dropped off at school the next day
Test 4 - 48 hours after test 3 and dropped off at school the next day

*Lyon, Attea and the D34 administration building have drop boxes outside. Other schools have collection bins inside the school.

We appreciate your help in managing the test-to-stay process so that we can meet our goal of keeping students in school, in person, as much as possible, in the safest environment possible.

SHIELD Testing

District 34 will be conducting optional, weekly, screening testing for COVID-19 for any student who opt in to participate, regardless of vaccination status. The District has partnered with the University of Illinois to test students and staff using the SHIELD test. The SHIELD test requires only a small amount of saliva from an individual and provides results within 24 hours.

The District strongly encourages participation, but consent for testing is completely voluntary and will not be administered unless you indicate that you wish your child to participate by clicking “I consent” in PowerSchool. The consent form will be on the PowerSchool home screen, and available by clicking the COVID19 (21-22) icon in the left navigation bar as well.

Screening testing allows for early detection of COVID-positive cases, before symptoms arise, decreasing the chance of spread in school. Per guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois School Board of Education, students whose families opt in to SHIELD testing can "test to stay" if they are close contacts within the school setting (not at home or through outside sports or activities) or on the bus, when it is confirmed that both the positive individual and close contact were masked properly at time of exposure. (So, exposure at lunch when students do not wear masks does not qualify for test to stay.) In that situation, a close contact tests 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after exposure to a positive COVID case (the last exposure date is Day 0). If they remain without symptoms (monitored at home by parents/guardians and by the school) and continue to test negative, they are able to stay in school; they do not have to quarantine.

District and school leaders are working with SHIELD and Med-Call, the third party provider that is coordinating testing in all of our schools, to develop the most efficient protocols to reduce time while maintaining the effectiveness of the testing. Each building will have slightly different schedules and procedures.

Testing for students who participate in test-to-stay protocols is conducted by school health office staff using the rapid BinaxNow tests (nasal swab).

COVID Symptoms

Vaccinated or Unvaccinated

Vaccinated or Unvaccinated

When a student or staff present COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, must immediately be excluded from school until:

Receiving a negative test result that confirms the symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19; or
For a minimum of five days and a maximum of 10 days until fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours, diarrhea/vomiting have ceased for 24 hours, and other symptoms have improved. Individuals must continue to wear a mask around others for five more days after returning to school.

Students and staff will be sent home if they have any of the following symptoms:

Fever of 100.4 or higher
New onset of moderate to severe headache
Shortness of breath
New cough
Sore throat
Vomiting, diarrhea
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue from unknown cause
Muscle/body aches from unknown cause

The District strongly recommends connection with a healthcare provider, and will provide students with a Ravinia PCR test. The individual cannot return to school until PCR results are available. If the test comes back positive, the isolation date starts from the beginning of symptoms. This is a COVID-related absence, so these students can participate in remote learning per COVID protocols (after 24 hours) while awaiting test results.

Masks

We strongly encourage double masking (a cloth mask over a surgical mask, two surgical masks, or a KN95 mask if the fit and comfort level is appropriate). The District is providing KN95 masks to all staff and has a sufficient supply of surgical masks for students and staff who want them.

Positive Case in Your Home?

If you experience a COVID case in your household, there are a few things you can do to keep your family healthy and increase our ability to keep your child in school when they are close contacts:

Isolate the positive case as best you can and maintain distancing as much as possible.
Wear masks. At this time, double masking or KN95 use is recommended. If you need additional masks for your family, please reach out to your school.
Keep windows open to increase air flow.
Reach out to your school health office if you have questions.
Get family members vaccinated/boosted when eligible. With the Omicron variant, data has shown that vaccinated individuals who test positive have mild cases, and vaccinated students have more options to remain in school when they are close contacts.

Staff members and students (or someone in that individual's household with whom it is not possible to mask and distance at all times) who are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test outside of SHIELD screening should remain home until they receive a negative test result.

A Wording Change: Quarantine to Exclusion

On Friday, September 17, 2021, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2021-24 concerning school exclusion for individuals with confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, as well as those who are close contacts. The Executive Order requires all schools to exclude students and school personnel who meet certain COVID-19-related criteria regardless of whether an isolation or quarantine order has been issued by a local health department.

Note that this order does not change the District's health and safety protocols; however, it does change the vocabulary that we use. The District does not quarantine students; that is an act of the local health department. However, the District is required to exclude students from school who are positive or probable COVID-19 cases, and those who are close contacts. The District will continue to provide long-term absence instruction for students who must be excluded for these reasons.

Health & Safety Protocols

Masks

Masks are required on buses and in buildings. They are not required outdoors.

Executive Order 2021-18 requires that all teachers, staff, students and visitors to PK-12 schools in Illinois wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This applies to individuals who are age two or older and who do not have a disability that prohibits them from wearing a mask.

This mandate aligns with clear and consistent guidance from all of the public health agencies that have guided the District's decisions throughout the pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health) as well as the Illinois State Board of Education.

Exceptions to universal consistent use of face masks include the following limited situations:

When eating
For staff when alone in classrooms or offices with the door closed.
For individuals who have trouble breathing or otherwise unable to remove the face mask without assistance.

Any medical exemptions will need a Physician Certification for Face Covering Exemption completed. The procedures for any Mask Exemption Procedures will be followed.

Mask breaks will be given frequently throughout the school day and masks can be removed when outside at recess.

District will also provide a face shield staff may choose to use in conjunction with a mask, or in special circumstances. Additional PPE will be provided for essential staff, and as requested for staff/students

Alternative PPE will be provided for students with special needs as needed.

View the CDC guidance for wearing face masks.

Distancing

District 34 will set up classrooms and other areas in school buildings to comply with the CDC recommendation that schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, whenever possible.

Buildings have been set up to increase space to allow for physical distancing, and to create the following barriers to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus:

Non-essential classroom furniture removed
Classroom desks or tables are set up at least three feet apart

Vaccinations

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for District staff (with exemptions for medical and religious reasons and objections of conscience). Staff send proof to the Human Resource Department.

The District asks parents of students who are vaccinated to complete the form in PowerSchool to provide proof of vaccination. In order to facilitate contact tracing and reduce any unnecessary quarantines, District 34 requests that families of middle school students who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 provide proof of vaccination. There is no need to submit paperwork; simply log into PowerSchool and enter the dates your child received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The District will verify this information through the state's I-CARE system.

The District will partner with vaccination providers to offer convenient vaccination clinics for eligible students, parents and staff members.

SHIELD Testing & Test to Stay

Beginning January 10, District 34 is adding PCR tests to our test-to-stay protocol for close contacts as well as those with mild symptoms.

Test with a BinaxNOW rapid test at school as soon as we identify them as close contact or they have symptoms. If they are negative, they can stay in school.
The student will receive four Ravina Health PCR tests to take home with instructions that parents must complete the online waiver (you only need to complete it one time). Your child will receive an information sheet that outlines your testing schedule:

Test 1 taken the same evening as identified and dropped off at the drop box or collection bin at school* the next day
Test 2 - 48 hours after test 1 and dropped off at school the next day
Test 3 - 48 hours after test 2 and dropped off at school the next day
Test 4 - 48 hours after test 3 and dropped off at school the next day

*Lyon, Attea and the D34 administration building have drop boxes outside. Other schools have collection bins inside the school.

We appreciate your help in managing the test-to-stay process so that we can meet our goal of keeping students in school, in person, as much as possible, in the safest environment possible.

SHIELD Testing

Testing for students who participate in test-to-stay protocols is conducted by school health office staff using the rapid BinaxNow tests (nasal swab).

Close Contacts & Contact Tracing

A close contact is someone who:

Was within 3 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over 24 hour period both case and contact wearing masks and not fully vaccinated (this includes on a school bus, as masks are required on buses)
Was within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over 24 hour period without a mask, or not wearing mask properly
Provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
Had direct physical contact (hugged or kissed them) with someone with COVID-19
Shared eating or drinking utensils with someone with COVID-19
Came in direct contact with someone with COVID-19 who sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on the contact

Fully vaccinated people who were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 do not have to quarantine if they are asymptomatic. They should monitor for symptoms, get tested 3-5 days after the date of your exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure.

Contact Tracing

Each building will designate individuals to be trained in contact tracing. This allows identifying which students, teachers, and staff with positive COVID-19 test results should isolate, and which close contacts should quarantine. District liaisons will report, to the extent allowable by applicable privacy laws, new diagnoses of COVID-19 to their state or local health department as soon as they are informed. School officials should notify, to the extent allowable by applicable privacy laws, teachers, staff, and families of students who were close contacts as soon as possible (within the same day if possible) after they are notified that someone in the school has tested positive.

Lunch Protocols

Schools will maximize physical distance as much as possible for students moving through the food service line and while eating. Distancing is expected to be 3' (though the definition of a close contact when masks are not worn is 6'). Plastic dividers will not be used.

When necessary, schools will use additional spaces outside of the cafeteria for mealtime seating such as the gymnasium, multipurpose room or classroom to help facilitate distancing. Students, teachers, and staff who are fully vaccinated do not need to distance while eating.

Lunch hours will continue to be scheduled to allow for greater distancing within the cafeteria provided that seats can provide at least three feet apart. Grade level may need to continue splitting students into two groups to allow for distancing.

Given very low risk of transmission from surfaces and shared objects, there is no need to limit food service approaches to single use items and packaged meals.

Surfaces that come in contact with food should be washed, rinsed and sanitized before and after meals.

Food service staff will wash hands before, after, and during shifts. Teachers and staff will promote student hand washing before and after eating.

Exclusion

Fully vaccinated people who were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 do not have to stay home if they are asymptomatic. They should monitor for symptoms, get tested 3-5 days after the date of your exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure.

STUDENT: COVID 19 positive cases must isolate and remain home from school for five days; they can return to school on Day 6. The date of symptom onset or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test, is Day 0.
Close Contacts (who are not eligible for test to stay – unvaccinated individuals who have not opted in to SHIELD testing or exposure outside of the home) also may return on Day 6 after exposure to a positive individual.
Test-to-Stay entails two tests, with one occurring between Days 5-7 (District 34 will test on Day 3 and Day 6).

STAFF: COVID 19 positive cases must isolate and may return to the building after 5 days if improvement in symptoms, fever free for over 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Travel Quarantine: Updated 10/1/2021

As of October 1, unvaccinated students do not have to quarantine after travel (domestic or international). They should get tested 3-5 days after returning from travel (this can include the SHIELD screening test).

From the Illinois Department of Public Health:

In general, Illinois continues to recommend that people follow the CDC’s recommendations for domestic and international
travel, including that people should delay domestic travel, and not travel internationally, until they are fully vaccinated.

Additionally, the CDC’s guidance for schools is that in- person learning is a priority. Thus, school-aged children who are not fully vaccinated and must travel do not need to stay home and self-quarantine after travel; they should continue to attend school in- person. School-aged children who are not fully vaccinated and must travel should get tested 3-5 days after travel, monitor for symptoms, and follow the IDPH guidance for if they test positive or if symptoms of COVID-19 develop.

Schools should follow local guidance for travel restriction that may be more stringent.

In a webinar for schools on October 1, the Cook County Department of Public Health confirmed that they are following IDPH guidelines; therefore, D34 students do not have to quarantine after travel and should test 3-5 days after return.

Health Office/Infirmaries

All buildings have a registered nurse. The nurse maintains two locations in the building

Health Office for daily medications & typical health activities (attendance in PK-5 buildings)
Infirmaries to isolate individuals with symptoms of a contagious disease

The District also has two District nurses & two District health coordinators to support building health needs.

Symptomatic Students at School

Every symptomatic person is recommended to be evaluated by their healthcare provider. It is possible to have COVID-19 and other health conditions at the same time. Early diagnosis can prevent further transmission.

To return to school, connect with your building nurse to receive individualized instruction. Symptomatic students will need to have improvement in symptoms (i.e. fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; vomiting and diarrhea will need to be resolved for over 48 hours). Most will need to provide a negative PCR or rapid PCR (NAAT) COVID 19 test* that is taken within 48 hours of the start of symptoms or will be directed to quarantine.

Individuals who have undergone testing should remain home away from others while waiting for COVID-19 test results.

*COVID 19 antigen tests are NOT accepted at this time.

Students Eligible for Remote Instruction

The Illinois State Board of Education mandated that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, all schools will resume full in-person learning for all student attendance days, provided that, pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/10-30 and 105 ILCS 5/34-18.66, remote instruction be made available for students who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine or who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, only while they are under quarantine consistent with guidance or requirements from a local public health department or the Illinois Department of Public Health. Medical documentation must be provided, consultation with medical health providers will occur prior to approval for a full remote option.

As required by ISBE, students must receive 2.5 hours of direct/live instruction, and this option must be available to any student who is in quarantine for testing positive for COVID-19, as a close contact or after travel.) Quarantine instructional support begins within 24 hours of notice of quarantine.

Students in grades 3-8 will be able to watch and listen, in real time, to instruction from their classroom teacher who will place an iPad or laptop where they can be seen and heard, turn on Zoom, and teach the lesson. These students will get questions answered and receive clarification and reteaching when necessary, from the grade center teacher. As one-way Zoom is not developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners, K-2 students will continue to receive instruction from the Grade Center Teacher (GCT).

Building teams will develop an individual plan for each student to ensure a smooth transition back to in-person learning at the end of quarantine.

Transportation

District 34 has agreements with transportation providers Alltown and Safeway to follow safety and health protocols to protect students and drivers while traveling to and from school:

Students, drivers and any other passengers must wear masks on the bus at all times.
If a student does not have a mask, the driver will provide one.
Hand sanitizer will be available on all buses.
Signage will be posted outlining requirements and procedures.
Additional cleaning will occur on buses daily and in between routes on commonly touched areas.
If a child appears to be ill when boarding the bus, the driver will inform the parent that the child should not board and to take the child home. Parents should contact the school office for further assistance.
Alltown will have a designated seat for a child that displays symptoms after boarding the bus while enroute to school or home. Alltown will contact the school/district to inform them of the child and the symptoms they have.
Seating charts will be assigned and clearly marked to promote physical distancing as much as possible.

Buses will run their regular routes as mapped by the District 34 Transportation Manager.

Close Contacts on the School Bus

A student is a close contact on the bus if they are within 3' of a positive case for 15 minutes or more over the course of 24 hours. As masks are required on school buses, close contacts from bus exposure are eligible for test to stay.

Hygiene

All students will receive instruction and frequent reminders in proper hygiene. Signs throughout all buildings will reinforce and remind staff and students about hygiene.

Hands should be washed often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Perform hand hygiene:
- Upon arrival to and departure from school
- After blowing one’s nose, coughing, sneezing
- After use of restroom
- Before food preparation or before or after eating
- Before and after routine care for another person
- After contact with someone who is sick
- Upon return from the playground and physical education
- Following glove removal
Dispensers for hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) will be available in every room and in common areas
More time will be provided for hand washing as students enter and exit the room and before and after eating

Cleaning/Sanitizing

District 34 custodial staff have been trained in increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and have been given a manual that outlines all procedures. They are required to sign off that they have read the manual and will adhere to the procedures.

Daytime custodial staff will:

Clean and disinfect hard surfaces once a day using EPA reg. 10324-141 approved disinfectants that kill coronavirus (exceptions include tablets, touch screens, keyboards and other electronic devices)
Multiple times throughout the day, disinfect frequently touched fixtures in common areas, including:
- Bannisters
- Exterior and hallway door handles
- Door and window hardware
Clean bathrooms, including sinks, handles and door hardware
Wipe down drinking fountain handles and clean fountains themselves
Lunchroom cleaning:
- Before lunch, set up and wipe down tables
- Between lunch sessions, wipe down tables
- After the lunch period is complete tables are wiped down again and floors are swept and mopped, trash is taken out
Be provided with extra HEPA filters for backpack vacuums and receive training to replace them per manufacturer recommendations
Use backpack vacuum bags only once

Teachers and other support staff in classrooms will be responsible for repeated disinfection of surfaces in classrooms throughout the day. Each classroom is equipped with disinfectant wipes approved by the EPA against COVID-19 and a spray bottle of pre-diluted disinfectant.

Nighttime custodial staff will:

Empty all trash and recycle bins and replace bags as needed, take our garbage, turning off lights in unoccupied areas
Thoroughly wipe down and clean all occupied areas with EPA reg. 10324-141 approved disinfectants that kills coronavirus
In restrooms:
- Thoroughly wipe down and clean with EPA reg. 10324-141 approved disinfectants that kill coronavirus
- Restock all toilet paper and paper towels
- Mop and disinfect floors
In offices, lounges and conference rooms:
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Clean all desktops and tables with EPA reg. 10324-141 approved disinfectants that kill coronavirus
- Wipe down all doors, door handles and light switches with with EPA reg. 10324-141 approved disinfectants that kill coronavirus
Use the electrostatic sprayer as a second disinfecting step after the building is cleaned

Ventilation

COVID-19 Dashboard

The District 34 COVID-19 Dashboard reflects data in our schools starting on August 18, 2021 (the first day of student attendance for the 2021-2022 school year). Beginning January 18, 2022 the District will send a DAILY automated email reminder to check the COVID dashboard on the website (buildings will no longer send individual emails to staff and families about cases). This move will ensure as much alignment with the District's reporting of cases to the health department and the reporting on the dashboard. There is a lag between the time that buildings receive a report of a case, and the time that they are entered onto the official District-wide report. Dashboard updates will reflect cases and close contacts that came in from 3pm the day before to 3pm that day.

We will continue to reports case and vaccine rates in Glenview as reported by the Cook County Department of Public Health, and COVID-19 cases and positivity rates as tracked on the Northfield Township Elementary School Data Dashboard.

Daily Self Assessments

FAQs: SHIELD Testing & Test to Stay

If my child is a close contact on the bus, can they test to stay?

Yes. The requirements to participate in the test-to-stay program are that the student is enrolled in the SHIELD testing program, and the exposure occurred in a school setting in which both the person who was COVID-positive and the close contact were consistently and correctly wearing masks. As masks are required on school buses, students who are close contacts on the bus can test-to-stay.

If my child has a positive test, can they re-test and return to school if negative?

Can my child test to stay if they get tested outside of school?

Can my child test to stay if they are a close contact at lunch?

The requirements to participate in the test-to-stay program are:

The student must be enrolled and participating in the weekly SHIELD screening testing
They are a close contact within the school setting when both the COVID-positive individual and the close contact both were consistently and correctly wearing masks.

So, test to stay is not available after an exposure at lunch, when students are not wearing masks, or outside of school.

Can my child test to stay if they are a close contact at home or during a club sport, party or other outside activity?

No. The requirements to participate in the test-to-stay program are:

The student must be enrolled and participating in the weekly SHIELD screening testing
They are a close contact within the school setting when both the COVID-positive individual and the close contact both were consistently and correctly wearing masks.

Close Contacts who are not eligible for test to stay – unvaccinated individuals who have not opted in to SHIELD testing or exposure outside of the home may return on Day 6 after exposure to a positive individual.

Can my child test to stay if they are not signed up for the weekly SHIELD testing?

Students must be enrolled and participating in the weekly SHIELD screening testing in order to be eligible to test to stay.

Students who are unvaccinated and are opted in to SHIELD testing and are close contacts in the school setting do not have to quarantine, and can test to stay. School staff will administer BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests on Day 3 and Day 6 after exposure. If either of those dates fall on a weekend or holiday, they will be tested on the next school day.

We are strongly encouraging participation in SHIELD. Parents can opt their children into SHIELD testing at any time by contacting the building principal.

If my child previously tested positive for COVID-19, can they participate in SHIELD testing?

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not participate in testing for 90 days after the date of their positive test. However, you can opt into testing now and testing will begin for your child after that 90 day window. Please contact the school health office to remind them of the dates of your child's positive COVID-19 diagnosis. You can find the contact information on the Health Information page (under "For Students and Families") of your school's website.

Will I have an opportunity to change my choice for SHIELD testing for my child at a later date?

When will I receive my child's SHIELD Test Results?

Parents will receive results from the school principal, nurse or other designated staff member if their child tests positive. No news is good news (a negative test).

Med-Call will send test results to principals (typically within 6-24 hours of testing). Families will not receive notification of a negative test result. Principals (or a designated staff member) will call the families of students who have tested positive and explain the procedures and timeline for returning to school, and tips for managing the child’s health, and that of the family.

Vaccination for Children 5-11

Is the vaccine approved for children?

Will children receive the same vaccine dose as adults?

Children ages 5- to 11- years old receive a lower dose than the adult vaccine. The pediatric vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech for vaccine for children) is a third of what adults received with the Pfizer vaccine. The lower dose was selected to minimize side effects and achieve a strong immune response.

The Pfizer vaccine authorized for 12 to 17 years olds has an identical dosage that adults receive (two doses of 30 micrograms given three weeks apart).