New Website Lets Minnesota Parents Schedule Vaccine For Kids 5-11

ACROSS MINNESOTA — The state of Minnesota Wednesday launched a new website that will allow parents to schedule a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointment for 5- to 11-year-olds.

The site — "Vax for Kids" — went live after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a smaller dose of the vaccine for kids under 12. Children 4 and under are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

CVS, Walgreens, and Hy-Vee are among the pharmacies offering the vaccine in Minnesota.

"Getting our children vaccinated will help our kids be kids again," Walz said in a news release.

"Now that the vaccine is approved for kids ages 5-11, Minnesota is ready to administer these shots quickly, efficiently, and equitably. I encourage families to make a plan to get their child vaccinated and help keep them safe."

Find a vaccine appointment for your child in Minnesota here.

"Being able to vaccinate children ages 5 and up is an exciting step forward in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19," said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm.

"We want parents to feel confident that the vaccine is safe and will help protect their children from the severe effects of COVID-19. Having questions is normal. Reach out to your family’s health care provider or seek out information from trusted sources so you are ready to get your child vaccinated when they are eligible."

COVID-19 can have long-term consequences for children. Nearly 100 cases of COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, have been confirmed in Minnesota. Some Minnesota children needed ICU-level care.

According to Walz's office, Minnesota children under 12 will be able to get the vaccine from primary care providers, schools, clinics, pharmacies, and community vaccination sites:

• Over 530 clinics, health centers are prepared to vaccinate Minnesota children
• More than 600 pharmacies in Minnesota plan to provide COVID-19 vaccine to children
• A survey of Minnesota school districts and charter schools found that 80 percent of respondents are interested in hosting vaccination clinics
• The Community Vaccination Program location at the Mall of America has tripled its capacity to provide up to 1,500 shots per day to 5-11-year-olds

Find out more information here.