Will there be a childrens’ vaccine before the fall?

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“When will there be a COVID-19 vaccine for kids? In time for school next year, I hope.” —

Jill,

Hollywood

It’s coming, according to Dr. Chad Sanborn, an infectious disease specialist at KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida.

Each of the Big 3 manufacturers has a kids’ vaccine in trials, Sanborn said, and some may be ready by the fall, depending on your child’s age.

He said Pfizer has emergency use authorization for ages 16 and higher and has completed enrollment of more than 2,000 children to check how well the shots work in ages 12 to 15.

Johnson & Johnson is about to test its vaccine in teenagers, too. And Moderna is currently enrolling about 3,000 children to test its shots for ages 12 to 17, and is about to start a separate trial in children younger than 12.

“If all goes well and these vaccines are proven safe in this age range, then we may have vaccines for the 12-year-olds by the fall,” Sanborn said. “This timeline could change, but smaller children will probably have to wait until the winter or early next year to get the vaccine.”

“My grandson, who grew up out-of-state, is going to college in the fall. If he attends a Florida state university, can he get in-state tuition rates because of my residence here?” — Elaine Neuman, Lake Worth

This is a proposal that is currently making its way through the state Legislature. Participating students would have to have a high school diploma, score no lower than the 89th percentile on the SAT, enroll in a Florida university the semester after high school graduation and have a grandparent who resides in Florida.

If the students meet these criteria, they can get in-state tuition rates.

The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee passed the proposal on March 8. If the full House and Senate and governor approve, it would take effect July 1.

“I’m moving to Boca Raton this summer and have a few questions about the school calendar. When is the first day of school, and when is the last day? I know school starts in August in Florida, but why? Is the school calendar online? Thanks.” — Lisa, New Jersey

If you’re moving to Boca, your child would attend Palm Beach County schools. Their school calendar is at palmbeachschools.org/ school_district_of_palm_ beach_county_calendars, including next year’s. The first day will be Aug. 10 and the last day May 26.

The calendar is always controversial in Palm Beach County, as some families send their kids to Northern camps that are still in session when school starts in August. But the county has stuck to its guns in starting on the earliest day allowed by the state for the past few years. The school district says teachers prefer the first semester to end right before winter break.

“With multiple universities around the state of Florida hosting in-person commencement ceremonies, are there safe and effective ways for Lynn University to honor their graduates with an in-person ceremony?” — Gregory Lopez, Lynn University senior

It’s true that Florida’s state universities are holding in-person graduations this year. But Lynn, a small university in Boca Raton, is sticking with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations not to assemble in large groups.

“The guidance indicates that indoor and outdoor gatherings of any size, as well as those that require participants to travel from outside of the local area, pose a risk of spreading COVID-19,” Lynn spokeswoman Jamie D’Aria said.

It’s not much of a consolation, but D’Aria said Lynn plans to honor the classes of 2020 and 2021 with an in-person celebration in this fall.