WEB EXCLUSIVE The school will offer the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for students and siblings ages 5-11 on-site today and on Nov. 12, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 on Oct. 29.

“It’s one less thing that parents have to worry about,” junior Sophia Wu said. “Since I babysit, this new mandate will help me feel more comfortable being around those younger kids.”

The San Francisco Department of Public Health announced that children as young as 5 years old will be required to show their proof of vaccination in indoor public settings. The mandate will go into effect no sooner than eight weeks after the vaccine becomes available to children, according to San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip. 

“My little brother is 10 and will be getting the vaccine which is really exciting because my family will be able to go out and feel like he is safe and taken care of,” junior Sage Swartz said. “I definitely think that having younger kids vaccinated is going to make a huge difference.”  

Families must schedule an appointment through Mission Wellness for their on-campus vaccinations. The second dose of the vaccine will also be offered on Nov. 29 and Dec. 3. 

“I have some kids in my program who are getting the vaccine today and tomorrow,” Robert Hang, Associate Director of the After School Program, said. “I don’t know how my program will be affected yet, but we’re following the guidelines from the SFDPH.”

Approval of the COVID-19 vaccine and mandated proof of vaccination in public indoor settings for children ages 5-11 can create a better protected community, according to Wu.

“Knowing that everyone is vaccinated puts me at ease because I can know that everyone’s trying to be safe and aware of more than just themselves,” Wu said.