The FDA/CDC approval of pediatric COVID vaccines is upon us, and there are understandably a lot of questions resulting from this decision. The first step is additional waiting: the guidelines from the CDC/FDA will be adapted several other Federal organizations, and then the State of Massachusetts will release their guidelines for use. This has, in the past, taken around a week or more. Once the parameters of administrating are finalized and released to health care providers, the logistical planning can start.
Given the limitations in staffing and clinical space, the Town of Nantucket will not be performing pediatric vaccinations, but will partner with the Nantucket Public Schools and Nantucket Cottage Hospital to identify eligible children, stand up a clinic and assist in administering the vaccine to the last vulnerable group on the island. Until the state level guidelines are released, the exact specifics of the vaccination process are necessarily still to be determined.