The start of a new and exciting school year means the youngest among us are gathering together in close quarters, spreading lots of knowledge -- and lots of germs. As we expect a surge of COVID cases into fall and winter, now is an essential time to keep our kids as healthy as possible by continuing to effectively advocate for the benefits of COVID protection measures such as masking, testing and keeping up-to-date with vaccinations and boosters. Today, the Food and Drug Administration authorized bivalent booster vaccination for children down to five years of age. To continue protecting our children from infection, illness, hospitalization and death, its essential to advocate for routine vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

In this timey webinar hosted by the CDC Foundation in partnership with Vaccine Equity Cooperative, presenters will discuss everything community-based organizations need to know in order to help communities equitably increase vaccinations and adhere to public health guidance that will keep kids healthy in schools this year, including: 

• An overview of the latest COVID-19 data trends and latest recommendations from the Kid’s Vaccination Working Group (see first set here)
• The federal government's current strategies to increase child vaccinations
• Latest FDA bivalent booster information for younger age groups
• Resources to equitably increase access to vaccines and boosters for community members and families
• Best practices to keep kids healthy this school year and communicate continued COVID protection

And more! During the 60 minutes, we will try to get through as many of your questions as possible! We invite you to come with additional issues to raise, but encourage you to submit your questions in advance using the box on the registration form.

Presenters 

• Cameron Webb, MD, JD, Senior Policy Advisor for Equity, COVID-19 Response Team, White House

• Robert Boyd, MCRP, MDiv, President/CEO, School-Based Health Alliance

• Mark Del Monte, JD, CEO/Executive Vice President, American Academy of Pediatrics

• Sarah Meyer, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, Immunization Services Division, CDC

• Lauren Smith, MD, MPH, Chief Health Equity and Strategy Officer, CDC Foundation

• Lisa Waddell, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, CDC Foundation (moderator)