On November 2nd, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to recommend all children ages 5 through 11 get a low-dose COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech. Hours later, CDC director Rochelle Wolensky issued the final approval making 28 million children eligible for the vaccine which will soon be available across the country at hospitals, clinics, vaccination events, and pharmacies. President Biden issued a statement calling it “a turning point in our battle against COVID-19,” and he said the federal government has purchased enough vaccine “for every child in America.” While the vaccine for children 5-11 years old is one-third the dose of that given to those 12 yrs and older, the timing is the same as other Pfizer vaccines: 2 doses, given 3 weeks apart. Here is a local guide to getting the pediatric vaccine . . . [JUMP]
Where Can I Get My 5-11 Year Old Child Vaccinated?
While The Village Doctor does not have supply of the vaccine, there are many larger institutional and community entities that do. Please expect high demand in the first 1-2 weeks, and don’t be discouraged if appointments are hard to come by. Shipments and logistical details will be ironed out quickly, vaccine opportunities will abound, and there should be no scarcity, no long lines, and no one turned away. Keep in mind, shipments and website updates will initially seem random, so check locations and refresh pages to find new allocations and appointment slots. If a parent or legal guardian will not accompany your child to a vaccine appointment, be sure to check the provider’s webpage and complete any necessary consent forms in advance.
Stanford Children’s Health — if your child is a registered patient, use the MyHealth app or website to find available appointments. Or call (650) 498-9000. Additionally, you may schedule using https://myturn.ca.gov (scroll to find “Stanford Children’s COVID Vaccination”).
San Mateo County — provides scheduled appointments, walk-in appointments, mass vaccination events; check back frequently as new events and clinic sites are added.
*Pediatric vaccinations will be available at the San Mateo County Event Center at a dedicated walk-in clinic, separate from the adult drive-through booster clinic: Nov 6th (Sat) 9am-4pm | Nov 13th (Sat) 9am-4pm | Nov 10-12th (Wed-Fri) 2:30pm-7pm
Santa Clara County — provides scheduled appointments, walk-in appointments, mass vaccination events; check back frequently as new events and clinic sites are added
PAMF / Sutter — if your child has been seen at a Sutter Health location, Sign In to, or Enroll in, the Sutter My Health Online portal. Or call (844) 987-6115 and press 2 to speak with a representative (M-F 7a-6p).
Additional Vaccine Providers (including pharmacies and community health events) can be found using California’s centralized COVID-19 vaccination webpage: https://myturn.ca.gov
Sky Pittson, MD, November 3, 2021
