The loosened guidance should make it easier to reopen schools and workplaces. Mask requirements are still in place for public transport and health care settings.

The authorization expands the pool of eligible vaccine recipients to about 87% of the total U.S. population, covering an additional 17 million children, and comes at a time when people under age 18 account for one 1 of every 5 newly reported coronavirus infections.

The federal Food and Drug Administration on Monday authorized use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the age group. Now, the state is waiting for approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before it starts vaccinating children ages 12 to 15.

Until now, the Pfizer vaccine had been authorized only for people age 16 and older. Pfizer asked the FDA to broaden its emergency use authorization for the vaccine after announcing in late March that clinical trials found "100% efficacy and robust antibody responses" in study participants who were 12 to 15 years old.

Still, the CDC is urging all people — vaccinated or not — to continue avoiding medium or large gatherings, since it's still learning how well the vaccines work to curb the spread of the virus.

Health experts shared the information with school officials and administrators as they prepare for the end of the school year.

State and federal leaders have been trying to find ways to bring large ships back to the state this year. But summer is right around the corner.

Familia opened in May 2020. Their food has gained a strong following despite the pandemic.