Maine education officials are working with local schools to find the best ways to get COVID-19 vaccines — once they are authorized by the federal government — to young children.

Emily Poland, school nurse consultant for the Maine Department of Education, told lawmakers Monday that in addition to taking a “layered approach” to containing the pandemic – which includes testing, contact tracing and disinfection – the state is reaching out to schools to help them get ready to distribute the Pfizer vaccine.

The goal is “to ensure there are dedicated pathways by which any and all eligible students can receive vaccines that will ultimately increase their safety and in-person learning and decrease the spread of COVID-19,” Poland told members of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

The committee met for the informational session just one day ahead of when a Food and Drug Administration panel is set to meet to consider Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11. After that, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consider it Nov. 2. If all goes smoothly, the Pfizer vaccine for young children could be ready in about 10 days.

Also Monday, Moderna announced that its vaccine provides safe protection for children ages 6-11.

Maine education officials also clarified with lawmakers that although they recommend the COVID vaccines for children, children are not required to be vaccinated against COVID to attend school.

Education Committee member Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred) said she’s concerned about reports of higher incidents of myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart muscle — in children aged 12-17 who have received the COVID vaccine.

“This is to me a significant concern,” she said. “I would like to hear what the plans are.”

According to the federal CDC, there have been cases of myocarditis reported following vaccination in male adolescents and young adults, typically after the second dose. However, most patients respond well to medicine and rest and the CDC continues to recommend COVID vaccines for all who are eligible, according to cdc.gov.

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin said the state will encourage districts to host clinics and provide parents with “accurate science-based information” about the vaccines.

“We were delighted to hear the results of copious well-done global studies on the safety and efficacy of these vaccinations for younger students would make it possible for Maine to work further to ensure health and safety of all of our students by promoting the vaccinations for 5-11-year-olds,” she said.

Sampson, who in August compared a state vaccine mandate for health care workers to a Nazi doctor who performed experiments on Jews, asked Makin to send her the studies she has on the safety of vaccines. Sampson said she has other studies that contradict that information.

“I would rather we do a little more research and look under the hood a little bit further,” Sampson said. “These children are at the lowest risk of death and hospitalization for COVID. We’re playing some very dangerous games here.”

Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Rafferty (D-Kennebunk) said it’s not a game.

“I think our goal is to see that students everywhere and people everywhere are at no risk, that’s what we’re targeting,” he said.

Rep. Paul Stearns (R-Guilford) said he hopes the state clearly communicates with parents that the COVID vaccines are not required and that they should consult with their family physician when deciding whether to have their children vaccinated.

Makin said it will be a central part of the communications with parents.

“Parents may be disinclined in some places to trust the government, the Department of Education or the CDC, but they do trust their local health authority or local pediatrician,” she said. “We are working in partnership throughout the state to make sure those trusted messengers are the ones who are providing clear understandable information to families while they make these very big decisions.”

When it comes to other strategies for controlling the virus, Poland said 85% of all Maine schools require masks and that 69% of schools are enrolled in a testing program designed to detect positive cases sometimes even before children feel sick. So far this school year, the positivity rate in schools has been 2.2%, she said.

Once vaccines for younger children are added to the mix, schools will see an even bigger change, Makin said.

“I think it’s going to really change the trajectory of this virus,” she said.