NYC Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Children Ages 5-11 – Telemundo New York (47)

NEW YORK – Officials have viewed New York City’s “Key to NYC” mandate as the weapon needed to increase vaccination in the battle against coronavirus in the Big Apple and keep the economy open since it took effect. in September.

On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio expanded the immunization requirements of the “Key to NYC” policy, including for children over the age of 5.

According to New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, case rates are currently highest among our 5- to 11-year-olds. However, he noted that parents have already vaccinated more than 130,000 children since children ages 5 to 11 became eligible last month.

Here’s what you need to know if you have a child age 5 or older in New York City:

Is there a school vaccination mandate for students?

There is no immunization mandate for students age 5 and older who are eligible for immunizations. However, there are mandates for certain activities. Read on for more information on these commands.

Vaccination test for restaurants and certain places for children 5 to 11 years old

All private sector workers in New York City will be subject to the Mayor’s vaccination mandate effective Dec. 27, which will affect 184,000 businesses, while proof of vaccinations will be required to eat inside restaurants, fitness and entertainment for children ages 5 to 11, according to a toughened vaccination mandate announced by de Blasio on Monday.

As it stands now, New York City’s vaccine mandate requires testing of just one dose for the municipal workforce and a host of other higher-risk sectors and the same for entering restaurants, bars, gyms, and other venues. Now two doses will be required. The latter has not been applied to the youngest eligible for vaccination, those ages 5 to 11, but it will go ahead, although children in that age group will only have to show proof of one dose for now.

Proof of vaccination for high-risk extracurricular activities

That proof of immunization for younger children will also be required for high-risk extracurricular activities such as sports, band, choir, orchestra, and dance. Proof of vaccination will be required in just eight days.

“Our youngest children, we have to reach them now. Right now in this city, about 20% have reached that stage in that 5 to 11 range. The vaccine is relatively new,” the mayor said. “But what we’re trying to tell parents is that it’s urgent. Before Ómicron grows up, before Delta continues to stress us out even more in the winter months, get your child vaccinated. And here’s an incentive to do it.”

Students 12 and older already required shots to participate in contact sports like soccer and basketball, as well as some high-risk extracurricular activities like band practice and drama.

“Things where there is close contact. Things where children sing, anything where they let a lot of air out that could have a huge impact on everyone around them,” de Blasio said. “That has been applied to children 12 and up. Now we are going to apply that to children in the age range of 5 to 11 years.”

When does the 5-11 year old requirement go into effect?

Children ages 5-11 are only required to show proof of a dose when the requirement for them begins on December 14, whereas they were only eligible for their initial doses in early November and must wait at least 21 days between Pfizer doses .

This deadline applies to extracurricular activities and when visiting restaurants and other designated locations.

Are vaccines available in schools?

Schools with students from 5 to 11 years old have carried out vaccination campaigns during the last two weeks.

According to de Blasio, as of Monday, these schools continue to provide vaccines.

“If you are a parent and you want to vaccinate your child, it is very simple,” he said. “It can be in your own school or in the many places close to your home. This is something that will keep children and families safe.”

If most kids end up getting vaccinated, when can kids stop wearing masks in schools?

Once most children are vaccinated, the next logical question on parents’ minds is when will children be able to stop wearing masks at school?

Both de Blasio and Mayor-elect Eric Adams say they want children to be able to remove their masks because it is important for them to socialize, but they will wait until health experts say the children will be safe.

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