The agreement, which still needs to be approved by the Pomona city council, comes months after protests across the country called for defunding the police.

Adding to the urgency is that many districts are now following a test-to-stay approach to keep close contacts in class or want to sends rapid COVID tests home with students.

Political ideology and polarization around the pandemic have played a role in conservative states rejecting some federal funding to help.

Distribution could begin soon to get doses to physicians; research will continue at other institutions for children under 5.