Sarasota County Health Department Awaits Shipments Of COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids 5-11: DOH

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Now that federal health officials have given the greenlight to COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11, Sarasota County’s Department of Health is waiting to receive shipments of the Pfizer vaccine for distribution to this age range.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five and older. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had already granted emergency use authorization.

The vaccine approved for children 5 to 11 is a third of the amount given to those 12 and older — just two low doses, given three weeks apart, totaling 10 micrograms, according to NPR.

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While some retail pharmacies, including select Walgreens and CVS locations, are booking appointments from kids 5 to 11, many Florida county health departments haven’t received any doses yet.

“At this time, no county health department in the West Central Florida region – including Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties - have received the vaccine at this time. As the vaccine becomes available, additional announcements will be made,” the DOH in Sarasota County said in a news release.

Parents can book appointments for their children beginning Saturday at Walgreens and Sunday at CVS across Florida. Select Publix locations will offer the vaccine to younger kids soon, as well.

The vaccine can help keep elementary-aged children from getting COVID-19, as well as spreading it to family members, the DOH-Sarasota said.

It can also help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates and other activities, the health department said.