The Jefferson County Health Department has begun vaccinating children age 5-11 to protect them against the coronavirus.
Department Director Gail Scott noted, within a recent press release, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have approved youngsters in that age group to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the release, Scott said her agency is administering the vaccine at the Health Department Monday through Friday by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling: 920-674-7275.
Persons should visit the department’s COVID-19 Dashboard, website or social media for more information.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children and adolescents age 5 and up, as a two-dose series taken three weeks apart. The dose for children age 5-11 is one-third of the dosage of the vaccine for older adolescents and adults.
A child may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including flu vaccine, at the same time.
Scott advised that vaccination is the best way to protect children aged 5 and older from COVID-19. COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19.
“Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19, and therefore reducing their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations or developing long-term COVID-19 complications,” Scott was quoted as saying within the release.
Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with children without underlying medical conditions, according to Scott. Getting children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission.
Scott said the vaccine is safe and effective. Before being authorized for children, scientists and medical experts completed their review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials of thousands of children. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was rigorously tested and reviewed, and more than 11 million adolescents ages 12-17 have safely received the COVID-19 vaccine, the release stated.
Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination are rare; the risk of developing myocarditis after a COVID-19 infection is much higher than the risk of developing myocarditis after the vaccine, she noted. Similar to what was seen in adult vaccine trials, vaccination was nearly 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 illness among children age 5-11 years, the release continued.
Scott encouraged parents to talk to their child before vaccination about what to expect after vaccination:
- Side effects from COVID-19 vaccines typically are mild and subside in one to two days. The most common side effects observed in clinical trials were sore arms, as were fatigue, headaches or a slight fever.
- Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child might have, or history of adverse reactions to vaccines.
- It is not recommended to give pain relievers before vaccination to try to prevent side effects. It is fine to do so afterward to alleviate any pain or discomfort.
- After the child’s COVID-19 vaccination, he or she will be asked to stay for 15 to 30 minutes so the child can be observed in case he or she has a severe allergic reaction and needs immediate treatment.
To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, visit www.vaccines.gov, text the Zip code to 438829, or call 211. Information is also available by calling: 844-684-1064 or 800-232-0233.
File photo, public domain.
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