Miyares announces several staffing hires in the attorney general's office
Plus the latest rumors on who will run against each other during 2023's primary season
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Youngkin declines to comment on requiring Covid vaccine in schools once they have full approval
Virginia currently requires students to receive eleven different types of vaccines before they can attend public schools. (Some of the eleven shots are only required for students under or over a certain age.)
The vaccines are set to the harmonized schedule of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
As for the Covid vaccine being added to that list, the first step would be full FDA approval. Right now, children aged 5-11 are able to receive the vaccine under an emergency authorization order.
The Pfizer-BioNtec vaccine has already received full authorization and approval from the FDA for individuals aged 16 years and older. But in the future, it is likely that it will be approved for kids as young as five years old.
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin’s team declined to comment on whether they would support including the Covid-19 vaccine to the list of requirements to attend public schools in the future. They do not comment on hypothetical situations, they said.
Youngkin has opposed any sort of vaccine mandate while also strongly encouraging everyone to receive the shot. He has received the booster, himself. He has also vowed to drop any statewide mask mandate and to leave the decision up to localities for decisions like students in schools.
Virginia reported 17,618 new cases on Friday. Youngkin takes office in less than two weeks.
VDH vaccination clinics are closing Monday due to weather
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is closing all of its Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs) on Monday, January 3, 2022, due to expected inclement weather with some areas of the state expected to see several inches of snow. Individuals with appointments will be notified of the cancellation and can visit vase.vdh.virginia.gov to reschedule.
“VDH made the decision to close the centers located in Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Newport News, Prince William, Richmond and Roanoke out of an abundance of caution for patients and staff,” VDH said in a press release. “While no vaccinations will be offered at Military Circle Mall in Norfolk, the site will remain open for COVID-19 testing from 2-6 p.m.”
VDH will decide Monday afternoon whether to open the CVC sites on Tuesday.
“Individuals are advised to reschedule missed vaccine appointments as soon as possible. Second doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be safely extended up to 42 days after the first dose is given. Thus those who had scheduled a return date of 21 or 28 days after their first dose still have some time to receive a timely vaccine.”
Behind the paywall:
Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares announces several staffing announcements including chief of staff and deputy attorney general.
Two powerful Democrats in the state Senate are gearing up to run against each other after being drawn into the same district.
Another Prince William Democrat is shifting their focus from a run for Congress to a run for the state Senate.
Two new Republican delegates were drawn into the same district and sources around one of them feel confident in their delegate’s chances to defeat their GOP colleague in a primary.
A Richmond Democratic donor calls out his party for not supporting women’s rights.
Footage from Jay Jones’ first “Meet our Moment” training session.