As of June 9, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 1.4 million cases of COVID-19 among youth aged 5-17, which accounted for 15.5% of all cases in the state. There have been 46 deaths among children in this age group. For children below five years old, 293,607 confirmed cases have been reported and 25 deaths.
Children ages 5 to 11 can now receive vaccination against COVID-19. On Tuesday, November 2, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky signed off on a recommendation from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Lewis Metropolitan CME Church sponsors a free clinic on Saturday, October 30, offering Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as well as booster shots. According to Pastor Travis A. Morris and First Lady Garnica L. Morris, the clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 4900 S. Western Avenue in Los Angeles.
COVID-19 vaccinations are currently in full force, with over 20 million Californians currently having received one of the three FDA approved vaccines. President Biden recently announced vaccine eligibility expansion for all adult Americans beginning April 19, while every Californian 16 and up are eligible for vaccination on April 15.
The subject of vaccination ignites a fire of controversy, branding another line of division through the nation. Recorded history reflects a healthcare system failing to be inclusive; intentional gaps in resources for proper medical care have been wide enough to allow generations to fall through the cracks. COVID-19 illuminated the imbalance in health and medical resources among people of color. Black communities have suffered at a different rate and at polarizing levels than any other demographic.
The meeting began with Congressmember Bass reporting that “We wanted to have this townhall tonight to talk to everyone in the district to make sure that you understand what happened, and how it impacts you. So, tonight we’re going to talk about the facts. We’re going to talk about what was passed, and we’re also going to talk about how you can access the resources.”
Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, three vaccine trials have yielded promising results, and the first round of Americans could begin to receive shots as early as mid-December.
Last week, the California Department of Public Health announced that California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris will chair the state’s Community Vaccine Advisory Committee. The group Burke-Harris leads will help guide the state’s decision making about vaccine distribution.