Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the nation, announced Nov. 2 the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available to students between 5 and 11 years old. “The COVID-19 vaccine is highly encouraged for children ages 5-11. However, it will not be part of Los Angeles Unified’s current student vaccine requirement,” LAUSD said in a statement. “We are delighted to be able to offer voluntary vaccine access to students in this age group.” The decision was made one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. LAUSD said the policy of providing the “life-saving vaccine” is meant to protect its students, staff, and families. Starting next Monday, LAUSD’s mobile vaccination teams will offer the vaccine to students ages 5 to 11. School-based clinics will offer the vaccine beginning Nov. 16 on select Saturdays. In early …