The Maine CDC is expecting that the FDA’s advisory committee will approve the Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 at a meeting scheduled for October 26, 2021.

Following this anticipated approval, the National CDC is expected to meet on November 2, 2021 to determine the vaccine’s approval. The earliest authorization/recommendation for pediatric administration of the vaccine for this age group would be November 3, 2021.

The Gorham Schools are working diligently with partners at Maine Medical Center to be prepared to host school-based clinics for the 5-11 year old COVID-19 vaccines during the week of November 15, 2021, with planned second shots during the week of December 6, 2021.

Clinics are anticipated to be held on site at Gorham Middle School, Great Falls Elementary School, Narragansett Elementary School and Village Elementary School.

Gorham Schools have a longstanding history of collaboration with Maine’s public health systems. We have provided H1N1 and flu vaccine clinics in recent years and envision that these COVID-19 vaccine clinics will operate similarly.

We anticipate that we will be able to provide a parent informational meeting prior to offering these clinics in partnership with our Maine Health Partners. This informational night will help answer any questions parents may have regarding the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine so that parents may make the best individual decisions for their families.

More detailed information can be found in the Superintendent’s October 22, 2021 blog post.