By Donald Gilpin

With the FDA approving the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11 last Friday and both CDC and New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) approval expected this week, the Princeton Health Department is preparing to offer vaccinations to Princeton’s pediatric population.

Princeton Health Officer Jeffrey Grosser noted that more locations would be offering vaccinations to 5- to 11-year-olds than was originally anticipated. The NJDOH has held several clinic logistic meetings locally during the past few weeks to ensure that that the sites are ready to go as soon as approvals are granted.

“The majority of nearby pediatric offices and local pharmacies will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine for this age group once it is approved by the state,” said Grosser. “The Princeton Health Department will also expand their clinics and begin to administer the vaccine for this group.”

Grosser added that after the pediatric vaccine is approved the health department will be updating vaccination flyers to announce upcoming local clinics open for ages 5-11. He recommended the state scheduling system at covidvaccine.nj.gov to find and schedule an appointment after CDC and NJDOH approval.

Grosser is hopeful that vaccination of the 5- to 11-year-old age range will result in significant reductions in new cases in this age group. “This of course assumes that the 5- to 11-year-old population vaccination rates will be as impressive as Princeton’s residents in the 12- to 17-year-old range [96 percent],” he said. “In other parts of the country with lower vaccination rates, it’s likely that COVID

transmission will continue to impact those with little or no immune protection.”

For parents who might be hesitant about getting their children vaccinated, Grosser suggested speaking with a pediatrician, “always a parent’s best choice to discuss vaccinations for their children.”  He added, “Protecting all age groups is an important step in decreasing the timeline of the pandemic.”

The Princeton Health Department on Monday reported just eight new COVID-19 cases in Princeton in the previous seven days, 17 cases in the previous 14 days. About 81 percent of Princeton residents ages 12 and above have been fully vaccinated. 

“Princeton’s COVID-19 transmission continues to trend downwards,” Grosser said. “Our weekly and bi-weekly moving averages are close to where we saw things in late spring 2021. The decreasing cases have allowed schools to continue in person with fewer disruptions, along with freeing up time for public health officials to plan vaccination clinics for the expansion of boosters, along with vaccines for the 5- to 11-year-old population.”

Boosters have been approved six months after the second dose for those who have had Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and two months after the initial Johnson & Johnson vaccination. Those eligible for the booster may choose any of the three vaccinations for their booster. Those who are age 65 or older or have underlying medical conditions or are at increased risk of COVID exposure because of their jobs or living conditions are now eligible for booster shots.

Princeton University is hosting vaccination clinics at Jadwin Gym for members of the public as well as the University community. Pfizer clinics will continue on Wednesdays from 12 to 3 p.m. on November 3, 10, and 17, and December 1, 8, and 15. Moderna clinics will be held on Thursdays from 12 to 3 p.m. on November 4, 11, and 18, and December 2, 9, and 16.

Princeton University continues to maintain its low risk status, with 99 percent of undergraduate students, 98 percent of graduate students, and 96 percent of faculty and staff fully vaccinated.

Mercer County COVID-19 walk-in vaccination clinics in partnership with Capital Health and Penn Medicine Princeton Health will take place on Thursday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CURE Insurance Arena (Gate A), 81 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton; on Friday, November 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Trenton Farmers Market, 960 Spruce Street, Lawrence; and on Monday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Millyard Park, 635 South Clinton Avenue (next to Roebling Market), Trenton.

Looking to the future, Grosser emphasized the value of the vaccine, but noted that global efforts would have the most important impact on the overall state of the pandemic. 

“If we continue to do our part here in town, of course it will help our own community transmission,” he said. “But the timing of the pandemic and where things will stand in six to eight months will undoubtedly be tied to areas around the world that need help in vaccination supply and distribution efforts.”