The Allegan County Health Department will start vaccinating children ages 5-11 years old with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Nov. 8.
The vaccine was authorized and recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this week. ACHD ordered pediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses and is waiting on shipment, which is expected to be received by Nov. 8.
ACHD asks that parents, interested in getting the vaccine for their child, schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment ahead of time by visiting www.allegancounty.org/covid. Walk-ins will be available during certain periods. ACHD has three planned COVID-19 Vaccine
Clinics next week, as follows:
• Monday, Nov. 8 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Allegan High School. Walk-in availability from 4 to 5:30.
• Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Casco United Methodist Church. Walk-in availability from 4 to 5:30.
• Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wayland Union High School. Walk-in availability from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“A COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 is something that parents have been patiently waiting for,” said ACHD Medical Director, Richard Tooker, MD, MPH. “Children will now have an opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccine and have another layer of protection against this virus. As the Delta variant continues to circulate and we head into the colder months, vaccinations are an important tool to help reduce children’s risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications.”
In Allegan County, there have been 807 COVID-19 cases in those age 18 and younger since Aug. 22. The Health Department is aware of at least three hospitalized children with COVID-19 since September.
Health officials maintain that vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations or developing long-term COVID-19 complications.
“Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.”
Similar to what was seen in adult vaccine trials, vaccination was nearly 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 among children ages 5-11 years. In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild, self-limiting, and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children. The most common side effect was a sore arm.
ACHD has walk-in and appointment availability at COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Appointments are highly recommended due to increased demand and eligibility. To view upcoming ACHD vaccine clinics visit www.allegancounty.org/covid. People can also visit www.vaccines.gov for other providers giving COVID-19 vaccines.
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