The FDA, CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and MDH have now approved the COVID-19 Pfizer pediatric vaccine for children ages 5-11 and will be available to our community at SCMC starting the week of Nov. 8. Appointments for ages 5-11-year-olds can be made on our website or by calling (320) 589-7600.
For parents with children age 5-11 years:
Effective Tuesday, November 2, 2021, the Pfizer vaccine was approved by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
- Children age 5-11 years old should get the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year olds. This is the only vaccine authorized for children age 5-11 at this time.
- The Pfizer vaccine for children age 5-11 is a smaller dose of vaccine than the Pfizer vaccine for people age 12 and older.
- The Pfizer vaccine for children age 5-11 is packaged differently, so you will want to go to a vaccine location that has this vaccine.
- Your child will need two doses of this vaccine. They should get the second dose 3 weeks after the first dose. It is important to get both doses of vaccine for the best protection.
As parents and caregivers, if you have questions or concerns additional information and resources can be found here or by calling your primary care provider with questions. As your community healthcare, your health and your little one’s health are our top priority, we’ll continue to help educate and guide you with the resources to help you make a decision that is best for you and your child.
In an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, their Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H. stated “The COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. 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.” Read the entire article here.