COVID Vaccine For Kids Under 12: Where To Get One In MD

MARYLAND — Federal health officials have given the go-ahead to COVID-19 vaccinations for Maryland children ages 5-11, setting off a new, long-awaited phase in the battle against the pandemic.

The CDC authorization for younger children makes about 515,000 Maryland kids immediately eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. State health officials in late October began ordering an initial 180,00 Pfizer doses for 5- to 11-year-olds, working with pediatricians, pharmacies, school systems, local health departments, and the Vaccine Equity Task Force, according to Gov. Larry Hogan's office.

State health officials have authorized providers across Maryland to immediately begin scheduling appointments, holding clinics, and vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds, Hogan said at a Wednesday news conference.

Parents with concerns should talk with their child's pediatrician, he said.

“I know that many parents are relieved, they have been looking forward to this day for many months, and have already decided to move ahead as soon as possible to protect their kids, to keep them in school, and to avoid unnecessary outbreaks and disruptive quarantines,” Hogan said. “There are also some parents who want to do what’s best for their children, but who still have questions. It is important that they get all of those questions answered.”

Parents and caregivers will have several options, including:

• Schools and Local Health Departments. In coordination with state health officials, all local school systems have agreed to facilitate clinics across the state.
• Pediatrician and Family Physician Offices. Maryland health officials have worked with the state’s pediatric advisory group to enable pediatricians and family physicians to provide vaccines in their offices.
• Pharmacies. The state’s pharmacy partners will receive allocations from the federal government and will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines for children.

More than 300 providers of vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds will be coming online, with more expected to be added in the coming weeks. To find a vaccine provider, Marylanders can visit covidvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for elementary school-aged children, paving the way for inoculations for some 28 million youths across the country.

"Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation's fight against the virus that causes COVID-19," Walensky said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already granted emergency use authorization. You can book appointments beginning Saturday at Walgreens and Sunday at CVS across Maryland.

The state will update its online vaccine locator to show sites offering children’s vaccinations.

Anne Arundel County on Wednesday announced its strategy to vaccinate children aged 5 to 11. Coronavirus immunizations for these kids begin Friday; appointments can be made at at aacounty.org/covidvax.

The Howard County Health Department opened a vaccination site just for children ages 5-11, at Duncan Hall on the Howard Community College campus. Appointments must be made in advance.

Montgomery County will offer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 beginning Thursday, Nov. 4. Appointments are required; a live link to schedule vaccinations should be live by p.m. Wednesday, the county said.

The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore City will rely on school-based clinics and other sites; and Baltimore County’s health department will hold its first clinic Friday by appointment only.

Harford County’s health department has youth vaccination clinics planned for Nov. 10 and 12.

Prince George's County's calendar of pop-up vaccine clinics shows either a one-day mobile vaccination clinic or a clinic that will be in a location for a few days or more.

Related:

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James Bridgers, the acting health officer for Montgomery County, said there won't be enough doses for all of the eligible children right away, and asked for patience from parents.

"We know that many parents have been anxiously awaiting the approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for younger children," said Bridgers. "Because vaccine delivery amount will take some time to ramp up, parents are urged to be patient, as there will not be enough supply initially to vaccinate all eligible children immediately."

Pfizer submitted data to the federal government showing that its vaccine is safe and 90.7 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19 in children, Maryland health officials said recently.

CVS Health on Wednesday said the pharmacy chain's 1,700 locations nationwide — including dozens of sites in Maryland — are now accepting appointments for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine to children ages 5 to 11.

Vaccines will be available beginning Sunday, upon receipt and confirmation of vaccine supply. Parental or legal guardian consent is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

"We know many parents have been waiting for the opportunity to vaccinate their young children and are looking for convenient access to a trusted resource for vaccinations," said Dr. Troyen A. Brennan, executive vice president and chief medical officer of CVS Health, in a news release. "Our immunizers have been preparing for this important role, and stand ready to help answer parents' questions, guide them and their children through the process, and administer the vaccines safely, with kindness and caring."