Monday, October 7, 2024

Virginia Governor Says Virginia will be Ready when COVID-19 Vaccines Open to Children Under 12

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam briefed the Commonwealth on the latest COVID-19 statistics. (WYDaily File Photo)

RICHMOND — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam briefed the Commonwealth on Monday, Sept. 27, on the latest information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. While there were no major announcements, Northam said that Virginia officials are expecting children under the age of 12 to be eligible to receive the vaccine around the end of October.

“We have been preparing for a long time. When approval comes for kids to receive their shots, Virginia will be ready,” Northam said. “It is good to think of vaccinating kids as a partnership between parents, public health and our schools.”

Of the children eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, ages 12-15, around 63 percent have at least one shot.

Northam noted that even though the COVID-19 infection rate had recently leveled off, that the numbers were still too high with almost 2,000 new cases..

He went on to point out that hospitals all over the state were reaching or at capacity, particularly in intensive care units. Northam said that almost all of the people currently sick with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

Northam said that more than 80 percent of Virginia adults had at least one shot of the vaccine and that 60 percent were fully vaccinated. He noted that Virginia had the highest vaccinated rate among southern states and 12 highest in the nation.

For the latest information regarding COVID-19 statistics as well as vaccine information, go to the Virginia Department of Health website.

 

 

 

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