COVID-19 vaccinations are now recommended for youth ages 5 to 11 years old. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and protects kids from getting very sick from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5 through 11.
Youth ages 5 to 11 will receive a pediatric version of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The pediatric dose is 1/3rd of the dose for people age 12 and older. This is a two-dose series that should be given three weeks apart.
Recorded side effects are the same as for adolescents and adults: generally, injection site pain, tiredness, headache, and muscle pain. Rare side effects such as myocarditis were not seen in the trials leading to authorization and are expected to be rare, as they are in older age groups.
The state Public Health Director issued an order that permits Oregon pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines to children down to age 3. (The COVID-19 vaccine is currently authorized for children 5 and older). Pharmacies accepting Oregon Health Plan (OHP) patients will be reimbursed to vaccinate children down to age 3 for flu and to age 5 for COVID-19.
It is completely normal and ok for parents and caregivers to have questions about vaccines for their children. Parents and caregivers are trying to keep their kids safe. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to reach out to their medical provider, pediatrician, or pharmacist if they have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for their kids.
Jackson County Public Health has added information on where parents and guardians can access the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines for their children on the Jackson County COVID-19 Vaccination website, where to get vaccinated in Jackson County and on the mobile vaccination site. This is not a comprehensive list. We encourage parents and guardians to reach out to their pediatric provider, primary care provider, and local pharmacy to see if they offer the vaccine to their patients and schedule appointments. Pediatric vaccinations require a parent or guardian’s consent.
Resources for Parents:
- Oregon Health Authority: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-vaccine-parents-guardians
- OHA FAQ COVID-19 Vaccines for 5-11 Year Old
- Centers for Disease Control
Courtesy of Jackson County
