COVID-19 in NY: Schools help vaccinate kids; Pfizer asking FDA to issue emergency use authorization for antiviral pill

According to the city, the school pop-up sites have already administered more than 26,000 doses to younger kids ages five to 11, since the start of the effort last Monday.

News 12 Staff

Nov 17, 2021, 3:12 AM

Updated 1,061 days ago

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The city is now starting to think of second vaccine doses for children to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
However, there is still a focus on getting those first doses out. Schools across the city will be locations that offer the vaccine to younger kids. 
According to the city, the school pop-up sites have already administered more than 26,000 doses to younger kids ages five to 11, since the start of the effort last Monday. 
Not only did they announce more dates and locations for this week, but they’re looking ahead to returning for the second shot. The mayor and school's chancellor says they plan to start coming back to many of these locations again--beginning the week of Nov. 29. 
For adults, as we approach the holidays, Pfizer is now asking the FDA to issue an emergency use authorization for its experimental antiviral pill, to treat the virus. 
Early analysis of clinical trials showed an 89% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death. 
Public health experts will be discussing expanding the eligibility for booster shots to include all adults. This move could make boosters available across the nation as early as this weekend. 
The FDA is expected to sign off on Pfizer’s application later this week and the CDC will likely make an official recommendation soon after. 
On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul is encouraging all New Yorkers in high transmission areas to get a booster. 
Gov. Hochul says that the biggest priority is getting through the holiday season without a spike in cases. If we do, she says she will direct the health department to look into relaxing some of those mandates, including masks in schools.