Children ages five through 11 in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 will be able to be vaccinated soon against COVID-19.
Superintendent Devon Horton told a joint meeting of the Districts 65 and 202 boards Monday night that D65 is working with the Evanston Health Department to set up a COVID immunization clinic on Nov. 8 or 9. Locations will be announced.
Horton said the second dose of the two-dose vaccine would then be given in the week of Dec. 5-11.
So far, only children ages 12 and over have been eligible for COVID vaccinations, specifically the Pfizer shot.
However, the federal stamp of approval for the younger age group to receive Pfizer vaccinations is expected any day now.
Once five-through-11 year-olds can become vaccinated, it should make almost all District 65 students grades K-8 eligible to receive the shots. Currently, the 12-and-up limit restricts the shots primarily to middle school children.
COVID vaccinations are not required for District 65 students. The District does make voluntary COVID testing available. Students are automatically included in those tests unless parents or guardians choose to have their children opt out.