COVID-19 Status Update for 10/27/2021

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for October 27, 2021 includes Timeline for Pediatric Vaccine Authorization; Masking Proven to Reduce Transmission of COVID-19 in Schools; and updated local COVID-19 data

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The Marin County COVID-19 Status Update is published weekdays and as needed to share important news and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to keep the local economy running. We remain here for you.  

Timeline for Pediatric Vaccine Authorization

Yesterday the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee accepted data submitted by Pfizer-BioNTech proving the effectiveness and safety of their COVID-19 vaccine in children (ages 5 – 11). They have since recommended the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use authorization for this age group. This is one monumental step forward in the process of making pediatric vaccines available in the United States. The timeline for vaccine implementation in California varies. Now that the FDA’s expert panel has made their endorsement, the FDA itself will conduct their own review of the vaccine’s data and decide whether to amend the Emergency Use Authorization to authorize the Pfizer vaccine for younger children.  

For any vaccine to be authorized for local use, it must be reviewed and recommended by two federal and one state regulatory agency (see graphic below). After the FDA reviews and makes a potential recommendation, vaccines must then receive approval from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), followed by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup (WSSSRW).  

What is the timeline for pediatric vaccine approval?      

1) Expect the FDA to make their review within the next few days.  
2) CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet November 2-3.  
3) Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will meet once CDC makes a recommendation.  

Below we can see the path a potential vaccine must follow in order to be approved and implemented in California:  

Masking Proven to Reduce Transmission of COVID-19 in Schools 

Three recent CDC studies found that counties with mask requirements in school settings had lower rates of COVID-19 cases in children than schools without school masking requirements. The report from Maricopa and Pima Counties in Arizona states, “Universal masking is an important component in the recommended layered prevention strategy for schools.” and we have seen this reflected in Marin. To date we’ve had a total of 1,889,211 total student days with only 17 suspected in-school transmissions during this school year. 

Before the return to in-person instruction last year, Public Health joined forces with Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) to design a “32-point plan” which outlines safety guidelines designed to prevent COVID-19 transmission in school settings. The preventative actions highlighted in this plan are the same ones we’ve discussed throughout the pandemic -- face coverings, hand hygiene, and vaccination for those who are eligible -- are the top three. 

In addition to aligning with CDC and CDPH guidance, the use of face coverings while indoors in all K-12 settings has been the gold standard for keeping Marin’s suspected in-school transmissions low.  Masking, as part of a layered prevention strategy, has contributed to our ability to keep children in the classroom through modified quarantine for children who have been exposed to COVID-19 in a school setting.  

Additional Resources: 

Marin County Public Health Schools Resource webpage 
Quarantine Guidance for TK-12 Schools, Child Care, Youth Programs & Activities, and Household Community Exposures 

COVID-19 Data Update: 

Below is a summary of today’s data now available on Marin Data & Surveillance webpage. View the page for a broader range of data, plus interactive graphs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Data analysis is available by age range, gender, race, and city/town/geographic region. Questions about the data? See our Data FAQ or contact us. 

Looking for daily data trends? Our Marin Data & Surveillance webpage  uses Tableau dashboards to visualize the impact of COVID-19 in Marin County. Under each dashboard are links to datasets available on Marin County's Open Data Portal. 

* Note that this percentage is out of all Marin residents including children younger than 12. 

** As population estimates may not be precise, as of October 4, 2021, the proportion of residents vaccinated with at least one dose will be displayed up to, but not higher than 98%. 

For more details, visit the CDC's website here.   

Other Local and State Data Dashboards:  

• Marin Vaccination Data   
• California COVID-19 Data and Tools   
• California COVID-19 Race & Ethnicity Data   
• Tracking Variants across California  

Stay Informed 

Follow the County of Marin on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor or subscribe to our status updates. Visit MarinHHS.org/coronavirus for resources to stay connected on the issue.  

Helpful Links and Online Resources: 

• Find a vaccine clinic near you 
• Free COVID-19 testing 
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Apply for Rental Assistance 
• Financial Resources for Businesses 
• Archive of past status updates 
• Subscribe to County of Marin News 

Contact Us. We Are Here for You. 

Have questions?  Contact the CA COVID-19 Hotline seven days a week by dialing (833) 422-4255 for COVID-19 information and resources, or email us.  

Spread the Word 

How your friends and family can receive these updates: 

• Text "MARIN COVID" to 468311 to receive text message notifications        
• Subscribe online to receive email notifications 
• Tweet & share this update with your friends on Twitter!