San Rafael, CA – Nearly two out of three Marin County children ages 5-11 have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Since the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines arrived five weeks ago, 64% in that age group have received at least one dose and 31% are fully vaccinated. Marin County Public Health and health care partners are pausing to acknowledge the success, with the highest childhood vaccination rates in the state, while urging parents of children who remain unvaccinated to make an appointment.
Over the past five weeks, most childhood COVID-19 vaccinations have occurred in special vaccine clinics set up at 12 schools in Marin.Most childhood vaccinations have occurred in special vaccine clinics set up at 12 schools in Marin. The sites, plus an additional 10 community vaccination sites in low-income communities, were created in partnership between Marin County Health and Human Services, the Marin County Office of Education, school districts, pharmacies, medical volunteers, and staffing support from the state.
The public-private partnership between Safeway Pharmacies and Marin County Public Health has been especially productive. Safeway has dedicated a team of pharmacists to work alongside Public Health staff over the past eight months to supplement vaccine operations. So far, the Public Health and Safeway partnerships have administered 9,645 doses, or 58% of all COVID-19 vaccines to Marin 5–11-year-olds.
Pediatric practices across Marin have provided vaccinations and will play an ever-growing role in reaching remaining unvaccinated children.
“The Safeway team is on a short list for the MVP award in our pediatric vaccine rollout,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer. “Stepping back, over half a million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Marin since the vaccines arrived almost a year ago, and hundreds more are protected every day. The only way to reach those kinds of numbers is through strong public and private partnerships.”
Marin’s pediatric vaccine progress is timely, with the current rise in cases related to the delta variant, combined with the emergence of the highly infectious Omicron variant in the Bay Area. Higher vaccination rates mean better protection for everyone, including children ages 5-11.
Parents or guardians looking to vaccinate 5-11-year-olds with either a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should contact their pediatrician or family doctor. An increasing number of local physicians are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations within their practices. For pediatricians that cannot provide a vaccine, parents and guardians can look to local pharmacies or Marin County Public Health vaccine clinics for options. Visit GetVaccinatedMarin.org for information about COVID-19 vaccines and to find an available vaccination appointment.