Children’s Hospital Los Angeles nurse manager Priya Meyer administers a COVID-19 vaccine to 7-year-old Ari, a Type 1 diabetes patient at CHLA during a special vaccination clinic Nov. 3. (photo courtesy of CHLA)

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles on Nov. 3 hosted a vaccination clinic for children aged 5 to 11, an event that hospital officials described as a “critical milestone in our collective journey to regional, national and worldwide health.”

During the event, a patient’s mother, Colette, spoke on the importance of vaccinating her son, Ari, and daughter, Alahna.

“Ari has a pre-existing condition; he’s Type 1 diabetic,” Colette said. “We knew we had to be extra cautious during the pandemic to make sure our family household stayed clear. It was important for us to take this leap of faith and let the science support our desire to make sure they were safe.”

CHLA President and CEO Paul S. Viviano celebrated the event and praised the families that participated.

“The last 20 months have required us to come together and navigate a difficult journey with grit and determination,” he said. “I am thrilled that we can build more healthier futures by offering this vaccine to younger children.”

The hospital invited families to strengthen their immunity by registering their children for the vaccine on MyTurn.ca.gov.

“Since COVID-19 arrived in early 2020, we have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to protect our young children and our communities with a vaccine, by far the most effective weapon we have in this fight against this disease,” said Michael Smit, CHLA’s hospital epidemiologist and medical director of infection prevention and control. “I want to reemphasize how thrilled we are to be able to now protect our children and our community with this safe and effective vaccine.”