Public Health says parents should be patient as COVID vaccine becomes available for kids 5-11Free

Public Health officials are urging patience for parents wanting to get their children age 5-11 vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Parents should check with their child’s primary care provider for vaccination appointments,” Clark County Public Health said in a social media post. “All of the larger medical clinics in Clark County and several smaller pediatric offices have told us they will be vaccinating their patients against COVID-19.”

Public Health said that pediatric COVID-19 vaccine will also be available at some local pharmacies, but it cautioned parents to be sure to contact the pharmacy in advance to inquire about the age requirements for the location. Age limits may vary by pharmacy.

Locations offering the Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11 years old will be available at VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov and VaccineFinder.org.

“Appointments may initially fill up quickly,” the Public Health post said. “Please be patient as medical clinics and pharmacies work to vaccinate kids as quickly as possible.”

The Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11 years old is administered as a two-dose series (3 weeks apart). The dose is a third of the dose administered to people 12 and older.

Health officials recommend vaccination for kids 5-11 years old to protect against infection and serious illness from COVID-19, but vaccination is not required for school attendance.