COVID-19 Vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccination General Information

All people ages 5 and older are now eligible to get a safe, effective and no-cost COVID-19 vaccine. People can get vaccinated through County and State-run sites, pharmacies, and other healthcare systems.

COVID-19 Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to prevent serious illness and death from a COVID-19 infection.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations specific to Contra Costa County Health Services, please visit: https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/vaccine-for-kids

The FDA has Authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Children 5 through 11 Years of Age

On October 29, 2021 the FDA authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children 5 through 11 years of age. The authorization was based on the FDA’s thorough and transparent evaluation of the data that included input from independent advisory committee experts who overwhelmingly voted in favor of making the vaccine available to children in this age group.

CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination

From the CDC website: Vaccination, along with other preventative measures, can protect children from COVID-19 using the safe and effective vaccines already recommended for use in adolescents and adults in the United States. Similar to what was seen in adult vaccine trials, vaccination was nearly 91 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5-11 years. In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild, self-limiting, and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children. The most common side effect was a sore arm.

COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reducing their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html

If your student is in an age group mandated to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, you will need to upload proof of vaccination to your student's PowerSchool account. Please click here for instructions.

  • WCCUSD staff members and volunteers must show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status, either complete vaccination or first shot by October 15. Final proof of a complete vaccine status is due to the District’s Human Resources Department by December 7.

  • Starting November 15, WCCUSD students, ages 12-years and older, must have received their first COVID-19 vaccination shot and receive their second shot by December 15. For students younger than 12 years old, they must receive their first shot no later than 30 calendar days after their 12th birthday and second COVID-19 vaccine 60 days after their 12th birthday.

  • Students ages 12 and older who participate in in-person extracurricular activities must receive their first COVID-19 vaccination shot by November 1 and the second vaccination shot by December 1.

  • All students ages 12 and up, and other students as they become eligible for the vaccine, must receive their first shot within 45 days after adoption of the resolution, and the second dose no later than 75 days after adoption of the resolution. Students who will turn 12, or become eligible for the vaccine during the school year, will have a month after their birthday to get vaccinated. (Nov. 15 and Dec. 15)

Students with qualified and approved exemptions under WCCUSD’s existing immunization policies are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Students with exemptions will be required to submit to rapid testing once every two weeks, in accordance with district policy.

Vaccination Clinics

You do not need to have insurance to receive a COVID-19 Vaccination. All COVID-19 Vaccines should be provided at no cost to you.

Contra Costa County Health Services

California Department of Public Health

Kaiser Permanente

Lifelong Medical

  • Lifelong Medical is currently offering free vaccines to all eligible ages at their locations in Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, and San Pablo. Click here for more information or to schedule an appointment: https://lifelongmedical.org/covid-19/#vax-schedule

Pharmacies

Use the CDC Vaccine Finder to find locations near you

Other Health and Safety Information

United Teachers of Richmond is the union for Fairmont educators. Visit their website for information about COVID related policy and procedure, a COVID case tracker, and frequently asked questions.