St. Joseph's Health Now Vaccinating Young Children Against COVID

PATERSON, NJ — Children's COVID vaccinations from the Wayne Health Department filled up quickly. But parents interested in getting young kids inoculated against the virus have another local option.

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St. Joseph's Health recently opened vaccine availability to all children 5 and older. St. Joseph's will administer shots at 11 Getty Ave., Paterson (drive through entrance around the corner by 250 Hospital Plaza).

The Pfizer vaccinations will take place from 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, along with 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Click here to make an appointment.

The FDA authorized emergency use of Pfizer's COVID vaccine Oct. 29 for children ages 5-11, citing the vaccine's 90.7 percent effectiveness in preventing the virus among the age group.

The Wayne Health Department opened two vaccine clinics for children ages 5-11, but all 90 slots filled up quickly. But the health department is looking for "additional ways to provide more opportunities for vaccines based on popular demand," Wayne Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said at last week's Board of Education meeting. Read more: Wayne School COVID Numbers 'Decreased Dramatically'

The New Jersey Department of Health's municipal data doesn't yet show how many children in each town have received a dose of the COVID vaccine. But 45 percent of children ages 12-17 in Wayne have been fully vaccinated against the virus, along with 75 percent of people 12 and older.

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