Children 5-11 Years-Old Are Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
Published on November 03, 2021
ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA – Today, the CDC recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children, ages 5 to 11. Both the FDA and the CDC agree that this COVID-19 vaccine can be safely administered to children to prevent severe illness and death.
The vaccine was shown to have a 90.9 percent efficacy rate in clinical trials among this age group.
Vaccination clinics and health care providers in Alameda County have made great progress in vaccinating our children and youth. Over 75 percent of children 12-15 and over 78 percent of youth 16-17 are fully vaccinated.
Over 17,000 residents under age 18 have contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 and, while cases and hospitalizations have decreased, we continue to see a higher case rate among unvaccinated residents as compared to vaccinated residents. COVID-19 continues to circulate in Alameda County, and we are likely to see cases increase in winter. Getting vaccinated continues to be the best protection against the worst outcomes from COVID and we strongly urge parents and guardians to have their newly eligible children vaccinated as soon as possible.
Not only do COVID-19 vaccines protect children from the most harmful impacts of COVID-19, children who are fully vaccinated are also not required to quarantine if they are exposed to a positive case, reducing disruptions to their school days.
“With each new population that becomes eligible for vaccination, we move one step closer to ending the COVID pandemic,” said Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss. “Now is the time to get yourself and your children vaccinated as we approach winter and the holidays when we expect to see an increase in cases.”
The CDC and Alameda County also recommend flu vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age. Including flu and COVID vaccines as part of preparation for the holidays is especially important if planning to gather with older adults or other medically vulnerable family members and friends.
Alameda County education and outreach is already underway with school and pediatric provider partners, and youth-serving organizations, ensuring children can access vaccine as quickly as possible.
“Understandably, parents and guardians of newly eligible children might have questions about vaccine. I encourage them to talk to their child’s pediatrician or a trusted health care provider,” said Dr. Moss. “When parents and guardians are ready, a vaccination appointment will be available for their child.”
Where can I have my child vaccinated?
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup must first weigh in on the CDC’s recommendations to vaccinate children 5-11-year-olds.
The pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, which is one-third the dosage given to teens and adults and will arrive in different packaging, will be available through some providers immediately and will become available soon through others. Like with adults, children ages 5-11 must get two shots at least three weeks apart to get the maximum protection from the vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines are available for free to every person, agesfive and older, regardless of residency or immigration status.
• Contact your health care provider or local community health center to see when they will begin vaccinating 5–11-year-olds. To find a vaccine site in Alameda County visit https://covid19.acgov.org/vaccines#availability. For more information on vaccines provided by Alameda County Health Partners:
o Kaiser Permanente https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california/healthwellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments
o Sutter Health https://www.sutterhealth.org/for-patients/health-alerts/covid-19-vaccine
o Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare https://stanfordhealthcare.org/discover/covid-19- resource-center/patient-care/safety-health-vaccine-planning.html
• Visit MyTurn.CA.gov or Vaccines.gov to find clinics and pharmacies that are offering Pfizer and have open appointments for patients ages five and older.
• Alameda County’s Community Clinics will be able to accommodate vaccination of 5-11-year-olds by mid-November, including weekend operational hours to ensure access for working families. Parents, guardians, or care givers can make an appointment here: https://www.primarybio.com/r/alco-vaxsignup or call 510-208-4VAX (4829). A limited number of drop-in appointments for residents living in neighboring communities only will be available at each location.
In partnership with school districts and the County Office of Education, vaccination clinics will be available on some school sites. We continue to improve access to vaccine whenever possible and meet eligible children and their families where they are, especially in our priority neighborhoods where COVID-19 has hit hardest.
Alameda County is prioritizing nine school districts with the lowest vaccination rates for stable clinics. We will continue to support schools in census tracts with the lowest vaccination rates with pop-up clinics. We will announce more details about school-based vaccine clinics soon.
Written consent of a parent or guardian will be required at the time of appointment registration and the physical presence of a parent, guardian, or caregiver at time of vaccination is required. Alameda County will follow any updated recommendations from the State on documentation and protocols related to consent for minors.
• Visit the City of Berkeley’s website for information: https://www.cityofberkeley.info/vaccine/
To make a vaccination appointment, call 510-208-4VAX (510-208-4829) or visit bit.ly/AlCoSignUp (https://www.primarybio.com/r/alco-vax-signup). Walk-in opportunities are also available.
For accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines and children, visit https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccinesfaq#children
####